"The windIncreased at night until it blew a gale;And though 'twas not much to a naval mind,Some landsmen would have looked a little pale.The wind blew still more fresh; as it grew lateA squall came on, and some guns broke loose;A gust—which all descriptive power transcends,Laid with one blast the ship on her beam-ends."
"The windIncreased at night until it blew a gale;And though 'twas not much to a naval mind,Some landsmen would have looked a little pale.The wind blew still more fresh; as it grew lateA squall came on, and some guns broke loose;A gust—which all descriptive power transcends,Laid with one blast the ship on her beam-ends."
There was something sublime in Harry Vernon's declaration:
"She must weather the gale, for theLively Beehas work to do."
But what a storm she encountered! Captain Vernon thought of the big war ships, and feared for them.
He strained his ears to listen for the solemn booming of the signal gun of some vessel in distress.
His fears were more for the others than for his own tight little craft.
"The water is coming fast in the hold," said Scarron.
"All hands to the pumps, then!"
The men worked with a will.
They were accustomed to danger, and they did not magnify their trouble.
But it was an anxious night.
Not a star illumined the sky.
Not one glimmer of light could be seen.
Angry waves broke over the deck of theLively Bee, and the boards creaked and groaned like living things.
The masts bent beneath the weight of rigging, and every moment it was feared that they would go over.
"Tempest, are you afraid?" asked the captain.
"No, sir; but if I have to die soon, I'd rather it be in a struggle with an English ship."
"Ay, ay; so would I. But we must be ready, for death won't wait our pleasure."
"You do not think," and Tempest paused; he did not like to shape his thoughts in words.
"I think theLively Beewill weather the storm, but I may not."
"You are low-spirited. Oh!"
The exclamation was natural. A sudden gust had swept across the deck, the waves had broken with terrific force, and not one but thought his last hour had come.
The calm which followed saw the captain at the tiller.
"All's well, sir," asserted the steersman.
"We can stand it here, if the water does not gain on us."
"TheLively Beecan stand it, I think."
"Ay, ay, sir; she's the tautest boat I ever sailed in. But we're in for dirty weather afore morn."
Captain Vernon walked forward and again spoke to Tempest.
"Mr. Tempest, I want you to take an oath."
"Captain!"
"Yes, a solemn oath. We are engaged in fighting an enemy which claims to be empress of the seas. Will you swear that, whatever happens to me, you will stay by theLively Beeas long as her timbers hold together, or until our flag is acknowledged on the ocean as well as on land?"
"I swear it, Vernon!"
"I thought you would. I have made my will; theLively Beewill be under your command if anything happens to me."
"Why so despondent? You do not think we shall go down in the gale?"
"No, but ours is a venturesome life, and I like to get things in order."
"Captain, the water is gaining on us."
"Pump away, lads; the back of the storm is broken."
Tempest went to the pumps, and saw one of the men whose arms were tired, and whose whole body showed exhaustion.
"Stand away, Mike; let me have a turn for a few minutes."
"You, sir? You're a gentleman."
"I am a sailor, Mike, and can work as well as fight or give orders."
The rough seaman looked at the lieutenant and could scarcely believe his senses.
"No, no, sir; this 'ere work is not for the likes of you."
"Stand aside and rest a bit; I'll call you when I'm tired."
"Which'll be precious soon, I'll warrant me," growled Zeke Patten, a surly, discontented man.
"You hold your tongue unless you can be civil, Zeke," said Mullen, "or I'll make you."
Tempest heard both remarks, but did not let it be seen.
He took Mike's place and worked with an energy they had not counted on.
"Why don't you sing, boys?" he asked; "the work is so much easier."
"Can't get our breath then."
"Well, I'll try."
And Lieutenant Tempest began singing an impromptu doggerel, which the sailors thought the most perfect poetry ever written.
"TheLively Beewill weather the storm,Yoho! my boys! yoho!For she's taut and trim and spick and span,Yoho! my boys! yoho!She'll make the British lower their rag,And make them honor our own dear flag,Then, boys, let not your spirits lag,Yoho! my boys! yoho!"
"TheLively Beewill weather the storm,Yoho! my boys! yoho!For she's taut and trim and spick and span,Yoho! my boys! yoho!She'll make the British lower their rag,And make them honor our own dear flag,Then, boys, let not your spirits lag,Yoho! my boys! yoho!"
With what zest they worked! The water was diminished in the hold, and theLively Beewas weathering the storm splendidly.
But the storm was not over. It seemed as though the elements were tired and had need of a short respite, for there was a lull and the men breathed again, glad that they would get a rest.
Mike had again taken his place at the pump, Zeke and Mullen had been replaced by others, and the pumps gained on the water splendidly.
Suddenly a flash of lightning darted along the sky, making the green billows as bright as in daytime.
Like a glittering serpent it flashed across, and simultaneously the air was rent with a report so loud that theLively Beequivered and shook as though it had been an animate being and was afraid of the storm.
There was such a lull and awful stillness that the helmsman had no control of theLively Bee.
"Hard-a-weather——" shouted the captain; "hard-up, for your life!"
He sprang to the helm, but the head of the schooner remained immovable in the same direction.
Vernon watched the approaching hurricane.
His experience told him that it was coming again with redoubled fury.
The lightning flashes showed them a glimpse of the storm.
Everything was done to save the schooner which experienced seamanship could suggest.
"Head her off," cried the captain, "or we shall capsize!"
Onward came the hurricane, ploughing up the sea, which boiled and foamed and roared before it, a moving spasm of awful surge.
"Look to yourself, captain!" shouted Tempest, and the words died away on the wind just as the wild waters leaped over the deck with the thunderous roar and fury of a cataract.
The weather main-chains were wrenched like threads, with all their rigging, from the sides of the vessel; and the main mast, bending like a cane, broke off with a loud crash close to the deck.
It was an awful moment.
A wild cry arose from the sailors, but it was drowned in the roar of the waters and the thunder of the gale.
The lightning flashed and leaped about like phantasmagoric demons, as if mocking the sailors in their frantic dread.
"Cut away the foremast—look lively, men!"
Lieutenant Tempest had been prepared for this order, and with an ax severed the distended shrouds, which flew wildly in the air, lashing the sea as they fell.
The remaining straps parted with sharp reports before the ax descended, and the unsustained mast, after a few vigorous blows by the daring hand of the young officer, snapped off a few feet from the deck.
A large wave lifted it like a straw and bore it away to leeward.
TheLively Bee—a wreck—drifted about on the billows.
Captain Vernon almost sobbed as he thought of her.
The heavens were as black as raven wings, the lightning played across them in streams of fire, the water was phosphorescently illuminated, while great masses of water,swollen into gigantic billows, burst into glittering foam over the deck.
"We are lost," cried Mike. "Holy Mary, have mercy," Zeke blasphemed, and then with all the superstition of his class declared that there was a Jonah aboard.
The captain heard him.
"What of it?" he cried. "We can't find the Jonah in this storm."
"I kin," answered the man.
"Perhaps it is yourself, Zeke; I remember we were nearly wrecked off Cape Cod the last time you were with me."
Vernon had turned the tables on the man, who now shivered with fear.
"Doan't say that, cap'n, or they'll throw me overboard."
Zeke had no more to say about Jonahs, and while he blasphemed the others prayed.
The storm ceased its anger, the winds were calmed down, the furious billows gradually subsided, and theLively Beedrifted along as steadily as on a river.
When morning came all eyes were strained for a sail.
Signals of distress were made, and soon in the far distance an answer was made.
A brave-looking ship was seen, and soon a boat was lowered to go to the assistance of theLively Bee.
"What flag?" asked the captain.
Tempest was looking through his glass at the distant ship.
"I cannot see, but she is a war ship."
Captain Vernon folded his arms and waited.
"If she floats the British flag I accept no aid. If she wants to take us prisoners, those of you who are willing, can go, but for myself, I shall fire the magazine and blow up theLively Beeand myself as well."
"I shall stay by your side, captain," said Tempest.
"So say all of us," shouted Mullen.
"Captain!" said Tempest.
It was a sudden shout, and almost startled Vernon.
"What is it, Mr. Tempest?"
"The flag——"
"Yes?"
"Is ours."
"God be praised! Are you sure?"
"Yes; and—the boat—is commanded by—Mr. Farragut."
"Then the ship is theEssex."
"Yes!"
"Thank Heaven!"
THE ESSEX.
"Ship ahoy!" shouted Midshipman David Farragut.
The answer was given by Captain Vernon.
"What ship?" asked Farragut.
"TheLively Beeof Boston."
"Captain Harry Vernon?"
"Ay, ay, sir."
The boat was too far away as yet for the men to be recognized by the eye, unaided by a glass, and the questions were given in a loud voice through the speaking horn.
Soon the boat was alongside, and young Farragut swung himself up the chains to the deck.
David Farragut—the naval hero of the century—was at that time a bright lad eleven years old.
But, boy as he was, he ordered the old tars about, and was efficient as an officer.
"We feared it might be a British vessel which sighted us," said Captain Vernon.
But Farragut did not notice, his eyes were fixed forward where Tempest was standing.
"Blow me! but isn't that young man Ensign Tempest?" he asked.
"It is Lieutenant John Tempest," answered Vernon.
"Blow me! but it seems promotion is rapid on a privateer. Tempest!"
As Farragut shouted the name, the young man turned, his face crimson, for he remembered that the last time he had met the midshipman both were officers of the same ship.
"Mr. Farragut."
"Hoity-toity! How long have I been mister? Am I not still David to you?"
"I hope so?"
"Zounds, man! But your new dignity has made you proud. Don't you ever think of the capers we used to cut up on theEssex? But that was before I was a midshipman."
"Yes, I remember. Those were happy days. I fear me, though, I am a Jonah."
Farragut laughed and gave Tempest a hearty smack on the back, making him wince.
"How did you weather the storm?" asked Vernon.
"We were on the fringe of it. Quite local, you know, so we did not suffer much."
"Did you fall in with the enemy?"
"Not yet, but we are ready;" and young Farragut had started on a theme of which he never grew tired.
"Every day," he said, "the crew exercise at the great guns, small arms, and single stick. Then, they have been so thoroughly trained as boarders that every man is prepared for such an emergency, with his cutlass as sharp as a razor, his dirk made out of a file, and a good pistol. Zounds, Tempest, and you, too, captain, but I hope we shall whet our blades soon."
Vernon sighed.
"What do you want us to do? Is theLively Beea castaway?"
"No, sir. If we can get to port, a week will make her as good as ever."
"Then you want to be towed back?"
"Anywhere will do."
"Captain, come back with me to theEssex, and Captain Porter will arrange with you."
In less than two hours theLively Beewas being towed by theEssex.
Captain Vernon looked to his guns and ammunition, and to his great satisfaction found that everything was safe and his powder dry.
He rigged up a mast, and before the end of the next day told Captain Porter he was in no particular hurry about making port, that a few days would make but little difference.
"I am glad to hear you say that, Vernon, for I believe we shall have a chance to smell powder within the next forty-eight hours."
"Then I would not think of taking you out of your way."
TheEssexwas intended for a victor.
Its commander was a fighter, and as good a tactician as ever walked the deck of a man-of-war.
During the calm he ordered theEssexto be disguised.
The top-gallant masts were housed, the ports of the gun deck closed in, and her usually trim cordage and nicely-squared yards were set in a way that only the most shiftless of merchant skippers would tolerate.
Captain Vernon paced the deck of theLively Beeimpatiently.
He did not understand Porter's tactics, and there was nothing jarred more upon his seaman instincts than a slovenly-set ship.
"Wait a bit," said Tempest. "Porter has set a trap for the British, and we shall have some hard fighting before long."
And the young officer was right.
Porter sent for Vernon.
"Can you stand alone for a few days?"
"Yes, if need be."
"It will be better. Have your guns ready, but concealed;we will play the part of merchantmen and give the enemy fits."
"Sail ho!" exclaimed theBee'slookout.
"Where away?"
"To windward."
The news was signaled to theEssex, and it was soon known that a British war ship was bearing down on theEssex.
Commander Porter carried his acting still further.
Instead of the crowd of agile sailors that spring into the rigging of a man-of-war at the order to make sail, only a mere handful were ordered by the captain to set with the greatest awkwardness all the sail theEssexcould carry.
Then two long heavy cables were quietly lowered over the stern, and dragging through the water, retarded the ship's progress.
The Britisher thought he had fallen in with a heavy merchantman which was making frantic efforts to escape.
When the man-of-war was near enough to perceive the signals, theEssexwarned theLively Beeto fly before the wind out of the way of the enemy.
Vernon entered into the spirit of the thing, and instead of escaping, caused the schooner to drag along as though heavily freighted.
On the deck of theEssexthe few sailors seemed excited and flurried, and the Britisher did not know that every action was assumed.
Had the commander of the English ship been gifted with second sight he would have seen behind those closed ports a roomy gun deck glistening with that whiteness seen only on the decks of a well-ordered war ship.
Down either side of the deck stretched a row of heavy carronades, each with its crew of gunners grouped aboutthe breach, and each shotted and primed ready for the opening volley.
On a man-of-war in time of action no one can be idle.
Hence on this occasion, from the magazine amidships to the gun deck, there reached a line of stewards, cooks, waiters and extra deck hands, ready to pass up cartridges.
Bare-footed boys, stripped naked to the waist, were skurrying about the deck.
These were the "powder-monkeys," whose duty it would be, when the firing began, to take the cartridges from the line of powder passers and carry them to the guns.
On the spar deck only a few sailors and officers were visible to the enemy.
But under the taffrail lay crouched scores of jackies, wearing blue uniforms, and smooth-faced middies and veteran lieutenants, ready at the word of command to spring into the rigging, or to swarm over the side and board the enemy should the gunwales of the vessels touch.
The English man-of-war knew nothing of all this preparation.
The British captain was exultant and hoisted a flag bearing a large figure "7," meaning that his ship had captured that number of American merchantmen.
In a few minutes the signal, "Haul too," was raised, but perhaps the Americans did not understand it, so the Britisher fired a gun.
Still no notice was taken, but theEssexgave the appearance of renewed exertion to escape, while theLively Beekept signaling for assistance. The two vessels were near enough for the most minute signals to be understood, and the Britisher declared that he would add two more prizes to his conquests before the day was out, meaning theEssexand theBee.
Three ringing cheers were given by the British crew, and the Union Jack was run up the mast.
At the same time a broadside was fired at theEssex.
In an instant the ports of the sham merchantman were knocked out; and, with warlike thunder, the heavy carronades hurled their ponderous shots against the side of the war ship. Before the Britisher could reply theLively Beehad sent a shot careening over the enemy's deck, killing the first lieutenant and two of the men. The English ship replied but feebly. The men of theEssexandLively Beefired too quickly and too accurately for much resistance, and in less than eight minutes after the engagement opened the British hauled down their flag.
The captured ship proved to be the sloop-of-warAlert, mounting twenty eighteen-pound carronades.
The boarding officer found her badly cut up, and seven feet of water in the hold. The officers were sent on board theEssex, and theAlerttaken in tow.
The victory was complete, but hardly one to be exultant over, as theEssexwas superior both in size and armaments to theAlert. However, theEssexhas the honor of having the first British war ship.
SCENTING MUTINY.
TheEssexdid not keep theAlertlong.
It was troublesome to tow such a vessel any distance, and theLively Beehad the first claim, as it was not quite seaworthy.
But while Captain Porter was deliberating what to do with his capture, an event occurred to hasten his resolve.
The crew of theLively Beewere very friendly with the men of theEssex, and the same feeling was entertained by the officers.
With one exception. For reasons we have already given, John Tempest was not welcomed on board theEssex.
The crew would have lionized him, but Captain Porter could not well receive him.
Middie Farragut was always finding excuses for visiting theLively Bee, for he was fond of the company of Tempest.
On the third day after the capture of theAlert, the two young men—for man we must call Farragut, though not one in years—were seated in theBee'scabin when Tempest whispered suddenly:
"You ought to be careful of those prisoners."
"What do you mean?"
"They are numerous, and you give them free run of the ship."
"Where is the danger?"
"Suppose they were to mutiny?"
Farragut laughed, but there was a little uneasiness in the laugh, for he had thought of the same thing.
When he returned to theEssexthat night he hesitated whether to tell the captain of his fears or not, but he decided that he would only be laughed at, so he held his peace.
It so happened that Captain Vernon was to stay all night on board theEssex, as the guest of Captain Porter, and Farragut was glad, for he thought that even one extra man on board would be of use in case of mutiny.
With these thoughts on his mind he threw himself in his hammock and was soon asleep.
But he dreamed of mutiny.
His brain would not rest.
Several times he listened, but all was still, save for the regular tramp of the men on duty.
Once a strange feeling of fear came over him.
He opened his eyes cautiously and saw the coxswain of the captain's gig of theAlertstanding over him, with a pistol in one hand and a big knife in the other.
Farragut knew the man was a prisoner, and, seeing him armed, was positive something was wrong.
"I shall be killed now," he thought, and closed his eyes again, lying very still.
He dare not move.
Expecting to feel the knife pierce to his heart every instant, he yet had sufficient control over himself to restrain his desire to call out.
He opened his eyes slightly and saw the man move away.
He was muttering to himself, and Farragut heard him say:
"To-night! All are sleeping. Then for merry England."
Farragut slipped out of his hammock and crept cautiously to the captain's cabin.
Porter had dined well, and had drunk pretty deeply with his officers and guest.
It was the custom in those days, and no one was considered a gentleman unless he could drink his two or three bottles of wine.
Farragut shook the captain.
"Hello! what is it?"
"Hush! on your life, hush!"
"What is it? David, what is the matter?"
"Hush, captain; don't speak aloud. The men of theAlerthave got to the armory, and to-night are to mutiny!"
"How do you know?"
"Never mind now; but act at once, or it may be too late."
Captain Porter did not like being aroused out of his sleep.
Who does?
But Porter was a man of action, and was awake in an instant.
The captain was very strict about "fire drill," and was accustomed, so that his men might be ready for any emergency, to raise the cry of "Fire!" at all hours of the day or night, and often he caused a slight smoke to be created in the hold to try the nerves of his men.
At the cry of "Fire!" every man seized his cutlass and blanket and went to quarters as though the ship were about to go into action.
When he realized the import of Farragut's information, he ran on the deck and shouted:
"Fire! fire!"
In an instant the crew were at their quarters in perfect order, every man armed.
The mutineers thought that a bad time for their project, and waited.
But the captain was not satisfied.
He paraded all the prisoners and ordered them searched.
Nearly every man had some weapon concealed on his person.
When these were taken away, the prisoners were ordered back to their quarters.
And early on the following morning they were put on theAlert, and that vessel was sent to St. Johns as a cartel.
TheEssexwas saved by the vigilance of young Middie Farragut, and the records at Washington bear proof to the fact.
When off the Maine coast theLively Beebade adieu to theEssex, and started for the Penobscot, where she could be put in fighting trim again.
"I wish you were going with us, Tempest," said Farragut.
"So do I; but I cannot say I wish you were going with us."
"Why not?"
"TheEssexis a war ship, theLively Beebut a privateer," answered Tempest, sadly; for he still thought there was something of disgrace in being a privateer.
David Farragut, with a wisdom beyond his age, answered his friend:
"If I were not on theEssex, I would prefer to be on a privateer. Both are fighting for the same flag, and while we are bound by strict discipline, you can go where you like and fight when you please. Yours is a glorious life, and I almost wish for it myself."
"Then you are not ashamed of me?"
"Ashamed? I am proud, and so will the country be when this war is over. We shall meet again—of that I am sure."
And so the two friends parted. They did meet again; they met when civil war had rent the country in twain, for John Tempest was with Admiral Farragut when New Orleans was surrendered, and again was on his ship in1863, when in passing Port Hudson on the Mississippi, held by the Confederates, Farragut's son, then a boy of twelve, asked his father to let him go to West Point.
"He has your grit," said Tempest, and then turning to the boy he added: "I served with your father when he was younger than you are."
"Times have changed," said the admiral.
"In what way?" asked the son.
"You could not stand fire, my boy."
"Try me, father."
Then came that magnificent test of courage which ought to be depicted on the walls of the Capitol by the greatest artist of the day.
"Come up here with me, my boy," said the admiral.
Farragut and his son went up together into the maintop; the old man had himself and boy lashed to it, and in this way they passed Port Hudson.
The Confederates saw the daring act. Sharpshooters took aim at the admiral; a heavy gun was trained on that target, and the ball tore away some of the rigging, but neither father nor son flinched.
"My boy, you have the right pluck, you shall go to West Point," said the admiral when again he descended to the deck, and old John Tempest, then seventy years of age, exclaimed:
"God bless you, David! you are just like what your father was when I knew him first."
A BRUSH WITH THE ENEMY.
When theLively Beeparted company with theEssex, Captain Vernon began to put her in fighting trim.
"Always be ready, is my maxim," he said to Tempest.
"But surely you do not expect——"
"To meet the enemy? I never expect anything else."
"But we are disabled."
"All the more reason why we may be attacked by the enemy. Our disabled condition invites it."
So the preparations proceeded, and there was not a man on theLively Beebut hoped a chance of a fight would be offered.
And their wish was gratified.
On the morning of the second day a frigate flying the British flag hove in sight.
"She is too big for us to tackle," said Tempest.
"Yes, but——" and Captain Vernon walked to and fro for a few minutes without finishing his sentence.
Tempest knew him well now, and awaited his pleasure.
"But it is a question of take or be taken. We can't run from that frigate, with our present rig, and I don't want to be taken prisoner."
"Neither do I. But what can we do?"
"Prove that we have spunk."
"I am with you, sir—ay, to the death."
"Well spoken, Tempest. I'd rather have a man like you on board than a whole regiment of other men."
TheLively Beewas lying much closer to the wind than the Britisher.
The frigate, when first seen, was about two miles off,and had theLively Beebeen in as good trim as when she left New York, no vessel afloat could have overtaken her.
"I know her, captain."
"Do you? Well, who and what is she?" asked Vernon.
"ThePeacock, a thirty-two gunner," answered Tempest.
"Then we have no chance but in flight."
"None whatever."
"And we cannot outsail her," continued Vernon perversely.
"No, sir."
"Yet we will not be taken—at least not alive."
There was a determination in the conduct of the privateersman which endeared him to his crew.
Had he ordered each man to shoot himself, no one would have hesitated.
They gave their captain the most explicit obedience.
ThePeacockdrew nearer and challenged theLively Beeto show its colors.
"You shall have them. Up with the flag of the free, boys!"
And the Stars and Stripes was run up the halliards, while a ringing cheer burst from the crew of the privateer.
The Union Jack of England was soon run up in answer, and followed by a shot.
The cannon ball fell wide of the mark and a sarcastic cheer was borne over the water to thePeacock.
A broadside was fired at theLively Bee, but again only an upheaval of the water was the result.
"Can you cripple her, Tempest?" asked the captain.
"I think so, sir."
TheLively Beesuddenly threw her bow up into the wind, and after a short pause, fired her long gun.
The captain of the privateer watched, through his glass, and saw the shot skim over the water and strike thePeacocksquare in the hull, entering near the bow and raking the deck diagonally.
The Britisher did not answer, but kept on, crowding all sail, and hoping to overtake theLively Beeand blow her out of the water.
Once again the long gun was fired, but little damage was done, and the British ship answered with a broadside.
"Captain, I can cripple her next time, I think."
"Do so, at all hazards."
The Britisher was nearing her prey.
The privateer could not hold her own under the circumstances.
The frigate sailed faster than theLively Bee, but, not keeping a course so close to the wind, was constantly obliged to tack, in order to keep near enough to use her guns on the smaller vessel.
Tempest walked up to Vernon and put out his hand.
The captain grasped it.
There was a meaning in that handshake.
Each knew that if the next shot did not strike thePeacockthere was but little chance for theLively Bee.
Lieutenant John Tempest saw that the gun was loaded.
The little privateer luffed, and the long gun was fired.
The shot struck just where it was intended it should.
That shot brought down the foretopmast of thePeacockwith the immediate result of throwing her up into the wind to repair damages.
"Now, clap on all sail, for it is our only chance," cried Vernon, and theLively Beebegan to make better headway.
They could see thePeacockblack with men, and saw that the wreck of the foretopmast was cleared away in a comparatively short space of time.
"Now, boys," said Vernon, "the chase has commenced. Hurrah for theLively Bee!"
The men cheered lustily, and feared not the British frigate, for they had obtained a good start.
Suddenly the heavy boom of a gun startled the crew of theLively Bee.
On the starboard side loomed up a man-of-war, from whose gaff there floated the Stars and Stripes.
ThePeacockshivered from bow to stern as the shot raked her deck, and she knew she was powerless, for her guns would not reach as far.
"Who is she?" asked Tempest.
Captain Vernon looked through his glass at the newcomer, and a loud, ringing cheer burst from the crew of theLively Bee, as he spelled out the word:
"C-o-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-i-o-n."
"ThePeacockwill lose its tail," said Scarron.
"We shall see some fun," added Mr. Webster.
And theLively Beesaluted the big war ship, and awaited further developments.
ThePeacock, finding itself too far away from theConstitution, fired a broadside at the privateer, which had allowed itself to get within range.
The shots tore up a portion of the deck, and a splinter struck Vernon on the shoulder, ploughing a furrow through his flesh.
Tempest applied the match to his long gun again, and as the shot flew through the air, he prayed it might disable the Britisher.
A cry of distress was plainly heard from thePeacock,and later it was known that the captain and four of his men had been killed by that shot.
The senior officer turned the ship about, and instead of being the pursuer was now the pursued.
The men on theConstitutioncheered the little privateer, and the salute was warmly responded to by our friends.
PREPARING FOR ACTION.
TheLively Bee, privateer, had won the laurels of war, though she had not shared in the prizes, and Captain Vernon saw that the crew were getting somewhat dissatisfied. He called all hands on deck.
"Men, under the shadow of the U. S. frigateConstitutionI offer you terms," he said.
All listened attentively, for all were in wonder as to his meaning.
"You are all fighters, and I believe desire to see the Stars and Stripes honored on the sea as well as on land. Is not that so?"
"It is. I can speak for all hands, captain," said Mr. Scarron.
"I knew it. I don't think there is one on board theLively Beewho would value his life above liberty, but all are ready to die fighting for our flag."
"That is true as gospel, captain."
"The commander of theConstitutionwill take you all on board, and you can have your fill of fighting the enemy. You will be regular men then, with no risks other than all who engage in war will share with you.
"You can join the United States navy, or can remain on theLively Bee. Which shall it be?"
"We will stick to you, captain."
"Ay, ay, theLively Beeis a good enough craft for us."
"I thought you would say so, and I am well pleased it is so. But we must put into port and get rigged up. We have done a lot of fighting, but it has all been for others.Now, I propose taking some prizes for ourselves. What say you?"
There was no need to await a reply.
Every man on theLively Beewas a privateer from choice and inclination.
He loved fighting, but wanted prize money as well as glory.
"I will then, in your name, decline the offer made by Captain Hull of theConstitution, and will make all sail to the nearest port."
Captain Vernon boarded theConstitution, and was well received.
Captain Hull, after he had seen thePeacockdisabled, had consulted the captain of the privateer, and had agreed that it was not worth the trouble to overtake thePeacock, as she would not be worth much as a prize, and as the British vessel made full sail when theConstitutionappeared, he deemed it advisable to let it go.
It was then that the captain made the offer to Vernon, which he had submitted to his men.
"I see what it is, Vernon. Your answer is one declining to join the navy. Well, mayhap you are right. And we shall meet, it may be, again. I did hear that theGuerrierewas in these waters, and I am in search of her."
"She is a formidable war ship."
"I know, and a strange thing occurs to my mind. I have a bet with the captain on the result of our first engagement."
"A wager?"
"Yes, over a year ago our two vessels were lying in the Delaware. We exchanged calls. Captain Dacres of theGuerriereis a rattling good fellow—for an Englishman. 'Well, Dacres,' I said I one day, 'you may just take care of that ship of yours, if ever I catch her with theConstitution.' Captain Dacres laughed good humoredly, andoffered to bet me a sum of money that, in case of a conflict, I should be the loser. 'No,' said I, 'I'll bet no money on it; but I will stake you a hat that theConstitutioncomes out victorious.' 'Done!' cried Dacres, and so the bet was made."
"I wish you luck, captain," said Vernon, "and I wish you may tow theGuerriereinto Boston as a prize."
"Thanks, Vernon. And I need scarcely say I return the complimentary wish."
"I have a favor to ask you," said Vernon.
"Name it, and it is granted."
"Don't be too positive. I shall be in port a couple of weeks for repairs. I should like to send my first officer with you for that time. Land him at any port you are near. He shall have full directions how to find me."
"I should be delighted. What is his name?"
"John Tempest."
For a moment Captain Hull's face clouded, but a smile soon suffused itself over his countenance.
"He was on theEssex," said Vernon.
"I know it; he resigned. I shall be pleased to have him. He is a rattling good officer."
And so it came to pass that Lieutenant John Tempest was to spend a week or two on the U. S. frigateConstitution.
Vernon had a deep motive in this.
He had taken a great liking to the young lieutenant, and would like to have him reinstated in the navy.
Not that he wished to lose him, but he knew that Tempest would be happier in the regular service than on board a privateer.
Tempest was overjoyed.
Not that he wished to part from theLively Bee, for he had learned to love every board in her deck, and believed no guns were better than hers; but he wanted once moreto tread the deck of a large war ship, to see active service conducted openly and honorably, and so he thanked Vernon for his consideration and leave of absence.
TheConstitutionsailed away, and theLively Beeentered port.
It was not long after the naval vessel had parted from the privateer, when the lookout aloft gave the long-drawn out hail:
"Ship ho-o-o!"
"Whereaway?"
"Nor'-nor'east."
Instantly the course of theConstitutionwas shaped toward the stranger.
In half an hour the glass was brought to bear upon the distant vessel, and she was declared to be a frigate and to be sailing toward the American.
Captain Hull began to make preparations for the meeting.
He acted with deliberation.
TheConstitutionwas a valuable ship, and he dare not expose her to unnecessary risks.
The topgallant sails were furled, and the lighter spars lowered to the decks.
"The enemy is preparing also," said Tempest, who stood looking through the glass.
"I am glad to hear it," answered Captain Hull. "The better prepared she is the greater our victory will be."
It was near five o'clock when the two war ships were near enough to commence active work.
"TheGuerriere!" shouted Tempest, as he read the name of the Britisher.
Captain Hull almost forgot his dignity.
He wanted to dance, so delighted was he to meet that vessel above all others.
"Beat to quarters!"
Then followed a rush of barefooted men along the deck.
There was no confusion; all ran in perfect order to their stations.
As the roll of drums died away the midshipmen, in boyish soprano, began calling off the quarter-bills, while the men, in gruff and deep bass voices, responded.
Every man knew his place.
The cook, as well as the captain, knew just what was expected of him.
The surgeon, with his assistants, descended to the cockpit and got ready his instruments and bandages, his splints and antiseptics.
The line of powder-passers was formed, the powder-monkeys looking serious as they thought of the business on hand.
While all these preparations were being made on theConstitution, the crew of theGuerrierewere not resting quietly.
So many mean things have had to be recorded against England in its struggles that it is pleasant to be able to say a good word for Captain Dacres, of the British shipGuerriere, thirty-eight guns.
He had on board a Marblehead sailor, Captain William Orne, who had been captured some days before.
"Orne, tell me," said the captain of the man-of-war, when the American was first sighted, "what think you of yon ship?"
"An American frigate, sir."
"Do you think so? It seems to me she is too bold."
"No, sir. No American can be anything else but bold in this contest," replied Orne.
"I am glad you stick up for your country."
"I am right, sir; the vessel is armed."
"So much the better. The better he behaves the greater credit for us in taking him."
"Orvice versa, captain," Orne quietly added.
"My dear sir, I admire your patriotism, but England is empress of the seas, and no vessel America can build can make theGuerrierelower her flag. See, I will show defiance!"
The captain ordered the English flag to be set at each masthead, and the crew cheered lustily as the Union Jack rose up the halliards.
TheGuerrierebacked her maintopsail and waited for the American to commence the action.
"Captain Orne, as I suppose you will not wish to fight against your countrymen, you are at liberty to retire below the water line. And, stay—there are ten of my crew who are American sailors who have been impressed; they can go to the cockpit with you."
"I thank you for your generosity, Captain Dacres."
"Generosity—fiddle-de-dee, it is humanity. I should not like to be made to fight against my own country."
In this way Captain Dacres won the respect of his enemies, for he was both gallant and generous.
The order to beat to quarters was given, and the two vessels were ready for a fierce fight.
Both captains were experienced officers, and both were backed up by crews of undaunted valor.
The men were brave and equally patriotic.
TheGuerrierewas fighting for British supremacy, theConstitutionfor American independence.
THE FIGHT AT SEA