"Like the fierce bird of Jove the Wasp darted forth,And he the tale told, with amazement and wonder.She hurled on the foe from her flame-spreading armsThe firebands of death and the red bolts of thunder."
"Like the fierce bird of Jove the Wasp darted forth,And he the tale told, with amazement and wonder.She hurled on the foe from her flame-spreading armsThe firebands of death and the red bolts of thunder."
Captain Jacob Jones was one of the proudest men in the American navy; his pride had good foundation, for he had served in the war with Tripoli and had been a captive among the barbarians of Northern Africa.
When he left the Delaware in command of the U. S. shipWasp, to fight the British, he determined that his vessel should be as great a torment to the enemy as the insect after which she was named was to people on shore.
After a few days' cruising he fell in with theLively Bee, and learned that theFrolicandPoietierswere cruising about in the waters nearby.
Not long after a bunch of sails was sighted at some distance.
The most careful examination failed to reveal the character of the strangers.
Jones was filled with curiosity.
He drew nearer the strange ships and reconnoitered.
The wind was blowing great guns, and a heavy sea was running.
Only the day before, theWasphad lost her jibboom, with two sailors who were upon it.
The American seemed thoroughly at home in a storm.
His whole soul was in his work, and he cared not for wind or hurricane.
As he drew near, he saw that the strangers were merchantmen, under the protection of an English man-of-war.
The merchantmen were well armed, some carrying as many as twelve guns.
Jones knew it would be suicidal folly to attack all at once, so he kept on a course parallel with the Englishman all that day and through the night.
Early the next morning the Britisher saw the American, and showed his teeth.
The Jackies were at work on both vessels, repairing the damages caused by the storm.
TheWaspran up the Stars and Stripes.
It was a defiance.
But the Englishman answered by running a Spanish flag up the halliards.
Jones was not deceived, for he knew the frigate to be theFrolic, and the foe was worthy of his steel.
The ships drew near each other.
The sea was rough, the wind high, and both captains were confident that before an hour had passed one ship would have to strike its flag.
When less than sixty yards away, and both running on the starboard tack, the action commenced.
Broadsides were exchanged, theFrolicfiring three to theWasp'stwo.
Great clouds of spray washed over the bows; waves, each one seeming higher than the last, swept over the forecastle, drenching the sailors as they stood at their quarters.
As the broadsides thundered forth the sailors cheered as they saw the damage done by the fire.
The vessels were tossed about like corks, now wallowingin the trough of the sea, now and again tossed high on the crest of some gigantic wave.
It seemed marvelous that any damage could be done by the broadsides, for at one moment the guns would be pointed at the clouds, and the next submerged beneath the billowy waves.
The two boats were well matched, the gunners equally accurate.
Before five minutes had passed the main topmast of theWaspwas shot away and hung tangled in the rigging.
The topmen, commanded by skillful middies, tried in vain to clear away the wreck.
The Britishers cheered, and sang "God Save the King!"
The Americans, though getting the worst of the fight, shouted out the chorus of "Yankee Doodle."
But when the third broadside fired by theFrolictore away theWasp'sgaff and main topgallant mast, it looked as though Jones would lose the battle, and have to strike his flag.
Not far away theLively Beewas watching the encounter.
The privateer did not wish to interfere unless theWaspwas in actual danger, for Captain Vernon had his eyes on one of the merchantmen, which he hoped to secure as a prize.
To an onlooker it appeared that the British had received no damage.
TheFrolicfired when on the crest of the wave and thus tore away its adversary's rigging, while theWaspwaited until in the trough of the sea.
The American's shot was aimed at the hull instead of the rigging.
While the fight was raging the two vessels got close together and fouled.
Yardarm laid to yardarm, and at that very moment the Americans poured in a terrific broadside.
The guns were not half loaded, for so close were the vessels that in loading the rammers were shoved right against the side of theFrolic.
The men grew almost frantic with excitement.
They shouted and sang, they cursed the Britishers, and reviled the Union Jack.
The gunners of theFrolichad no time to return the last broadside, for their ship swung around so that her bow lay against theWasp'squarter.
"Give 'em a volley!" cried Captain Jones as he just escaped losing his head from the swinging of theFrolic'sbowsprit over the quarterdeck.
Not only one, but a second volley was fired, and the deck of the enemy seemed to be swept clean.
Then the Americans shouted and cheered.
"Let us board her!" they cried.
The order was given, and the men swarmed aboard.
It was by no means a bloodless encounter, for the contestants fought like demons, and many a brave sailor breathed his last on that heaving deck.
But the Britishers could not stem the onrush of Americans, and before long the Union Jack was struck and theFroliccaptured.
Hardly had a prize crew in charge of Lieutenant Biddle been placed aboard of her, when the man on the lookout sang out:
"ThePoietiersis close at hand, and she is heavily armed."
And even as he spoke the heavy boom of a gun was heard.
ThePoietiershad signaled theWaspto lay to.
ThePoietierscarried seventy-four guns, and was a formidable enemy.
Her great hull seemed to cast a shadow over the water, and the jubilation of the Americans was hushed in the solemnity of the coming contest.
THE MERCHANT CAPTAIN'S CARGO.
"In with your canvas high,We shall want no sail to fly!Topsail, foresail, spanker and jib—With the heart of oak in the oaken rib—Shall serve us to win or die."
"In with your canvas high,We shall want no sail to fly!Topsail, foresail, spanker and jib—With the heart of oak in the oaken rib—Shall serve us to win or die."
Lieutenant Biddle saw the English war vessel bearing down upon theFrolic.
He had hoped to take her into port, but his hopes were rudely shattered by the appearance of the English frigate.
For he recognized her as thePoietiers, a British seventy-four gun ship.
To fight was impossible, and to escape seemed equally so.
Both theFrolic'smasts had gone by the board within a few minutes after the flag was struck.
At the very moment the man in the crow's-nest sighted thePoietiers, the prize crew was working hard to clear from her decks the dead bodies, wreckage, and tangled mass of rigging, which made navigation impossible.
The sea was rough, the wind heavy.
TheFrolicwas tossed about in the trough of the sea, a helpless mass.
The lieutenant looked over the billowy waters to see if any help was at hand.
TheWasphad seen thePoietiersalmost as soon as she had been sighted by theFrolic.
Captain Jones examined his guns, and found that he had no chance to fight successfully with the new enemy.
Even had theWaspbeen fresh and ready for battle, the chances would have been slight, for the British frigate was in every way the superior of the American sloop.
Jones sighed as he ordered the sails to be set for retreat.
It was better to run away than fight under such disadvantages.
But the sails, when shaken out, were found to have been cut to pieces by theFrolic'sshot.
"Beat to quarters!" shouted the captain.
The men understood that theWaspwould sting as long as possible.
"Clear the deck for action!"
The Stars and Stripes was run up the halliards, and the crew gave a hearty and lusty cheer, though they knew their defeat and death were near.
ThePoietierssailed down upon the almost helplessWasp, and fired a broadside.
Captain Jones answered with another broadside. It was plucky, and the Britishers were surprised.
They thought bulldog courage was only found under the Union Jack.
The plucky commander of theWasptried hard to get close to thePoietiers, so that he might board her.
He had resolved that it would be better for every one of his men to die fighting than that they should be taken prisoners.
But fate was against him.
The Britishers saw his object, and took every means to prevent him achieving it.
Broadside followed broadside in rapid succession, and further resistance was useless.
The triumph of theWaspwas short-lived, but thePoietiersdid not feel much elated over its victory, for theWasphad made a gallant fight.
TheLively Beehad watched the fight, unable to render any effective assistance.
Captain Vernon had seen the merchantman, and as he was cruising for revenue, as well as patriotism, he coveted the rich prize.
"What do you make of her?" asked Vernon, as he watched Tempest examine the brig.
"She is a rich prize, but armed."
"You think so?"
"Yes, and there are at least a dozen fighting men in the crew."
"Can you see her name?"
"I—wait a moment—yes, she is theCaroline, of Bristol."
"TheCaroline, of Bristol? Are you sure?"
"Yes, quite so. Why?"
"She is worth two hundred thousand dollars to us. I know her cargo well. We must capture her."
"Can we?"
"We must. TheFrolicis useless; thePoietiershas all she can do to look after her prisoners. Our opportunity will come."
"Captain, don't think me weak, but my heart beats most violently when I look at that brig; why, I know not."
"It is not weakness. You are as brave as a lion, Tempest; I know the feeling. The risk is great, the odds against us, but I have a presentiment we shall win."
"God grant it."
Soon all was activity on board theLively Bee.
Every preparation was made, but so secretly that not even the strongest glass could discern much out of the ordinary going on.
To the merchant captain theLively Beeappeared to be a schooner waiting about for any chance wreckage; or merely with a desire to see the naval fight; for, as we know, the privateer had a most innocent look.
"One broadside from thePoietierswill sink us," remarked Tempest.
"Certainly, therefore I would not risk a fight until night," answered Vernon.
Leaving the privateer, let us look at the merchantman, whose fate was trembling in the balance.
As Vernon had said, theCarolinewas one of the richest prizes in American waters.
She was a stanch, trim brig, and as beautiful as any picture.
In fact, so clean was her hull, so bright her deck, the rigging was so new and perfect, that it was really hard to believe she had buffeted the waves or encountered any storms.
The captain, knowing the value of his cargo, had induced thePoietiersto give him three small cannon and half a dozen men.
"We may get parted, and then—I don't want to feel I can make no resistance," he pleaded; and his plea was graciously acknowledged.
But theCarolinecarried a cargo that was not entered on the manifest.
The captain had indulged in a little speculation of his own, and, in his eyes, that one little bit of cargo, though its weight could not have been more than a hundred and twenty pounds, was more valuable than all the merchandise put together.
As night approached, thePoietierssignaled theCarolineto keep close, or no protection could be afforded.
Captain Carter of the good shipCarolinehad beencogitating for an hour or two as to whether he should not try to make his trip alone.
He wanted to reach Jamaica, and he had been already so much delayed that he was chafing at his slow progress.
So when thePoietiersordered him to keep close, and perhaps even follow the war ship for a few days longer, Carter put his thumb to his nose and extended his fingers in a most vulgar manner.
But then, the captain of theCarolinewas not a refined man.
He was young, and was a member of a good family, but he had always been a black sheep, and his own friends wondered that he had not turned pirate instead of merchant skipper.
He was possessed of a very hot and ungovernable temper, but would go to the extreme of kindness to those he had bullied and ill-used when his temper subsided.
The captain of thePoietiersdid not see the contemptuous action of his merchant brother, and so signaled again.
This time the flags were run up in reply:
"All right."
It so happened that, dark as the night was naturally, it was made worse and more unpleasant by a thick, damp fog.
This was just what theLively Beewanted, but it reminded Captain Carter so much of England that he cursed the fog, and muttered some imprecation on the weather and things in general.
Then he felt easier.
He descended to his cabin, but did not stay there long.
He wanted to see that his own special cargo was safe, and for half an hour he was engaged in that occupation.
He was like a raving lunatic when he resought his own cabin.
His cargo was human.
And a pretty piece of humanity it was.
With skin as pure as alabaster, with eyes brighter than diamonds, and lips whose color would shame the rubies, the girl stood defiantly in the center of the cabin.
She was a prisoner.
Carter had never seen so beautiful a woman before, or at least had never seen one whose charms had so smitten his heart.
He had met her on land, and at once laid siege to her affections.
She was ladylike in her refusal of his affections; he was persistent.
She had at last to threaten him with the vengeance of her family if he did not leave her in peace.
He was exasperated.
Desperation made him determine to have her, by fair means or foul.
When he saw she was firm in her refusal to listen to him, he awaited his opportunity, and by means of a bribe induced two fellows to abduct her and take her on board his vessel.
She had been kept a prisoner for nearly a month, and Carter wanted to hasten to Jamaica, where he could find some clergyman who would perform the ceremony of marriage, even though the bride was opposed.
The young lady had been particularly strong in her language on the night of the fog.
"Captain Carter, I have told you I will never be your wife. Touch me, dare to come within a yard of me, and I will kill you as I would a snake. Force me to the altar,and, Heaven be my witness, I will kill myself before the sacred shrine!"
There was so much earnestness in her manner that Carter recoiled, muttering curses on her and womankind in general.
A RICH PRIZE.
"Under the night's dark-blue,Steering steady and true,TheLively Beewent through.And the starry ensign leaped above,Round which the wind, like a fluttering dove,Cooed low."
"Under the night's dark-blue,Steering steady and true,TheLively Beewent through.And the starry ensign leaped above,Round which the wind, like a fluttering dove,Cooed low."
Captain Carter was mad. He had coveted the fair woman and had stained his soul with crime's dark flood to abduct her from her home and to his ship, and had hoped that, when she saw how hopeless was her chance of escape, she would forget her antipathy and consent to be his wife.
He had tried every form of persuasion, had even promised to leave the sea and settle on land, and as an extra inducement had offered to abjure his country and become an American citizen.
But only the more determined was the fair one to withstand his wooing.
All this passed in review across his mind as he paced his cabin uneasily.
He was wretched. Perhaps the constant blowing of the fog horn added to his wretchedness, for there is nothing more melancholy than the sound made by the human breath when it passes through one of those instruments of torture known as a fog horn.
"What now?" he asked angrily as the officer in charge entered the captain's cabin.
"A boat is coming alongside, sir."
"A boat? Then it must be from thePoietiers."
"Ay, ay, sir, doubtless it is, unless it be from some Yankee——"
An angry scowl on the captain's face led his officer to believe a hasty exit would be advisable.
Captain Carter was soon on deck.
The fog lay over the water with a darkness which could almost be felt.
Only the slightest wind stirred the waves, and the captain almost laughed at the thought of any enemy approaching.
He listened, but no sound smote upon his ear.
"I hear no boat, Gordon," he said. "Yet there is something like the sound of oars, though there is no noise of the rowlocks."
Gordon placed his partly closed hand before his mouth, trumpet-fashion, and whispered the one word:
"Sweeps!"
Carter laughed harshly.
It was not a good sign when he indulged in a laugh, and Gordon knew it.
"What do you mean by sweeps?" he asked.
"Why, cap'n, as to that, I saw a Yankee schooner lying about all day a-watching us."
"You did? So did I. But you don't think any Yankee would venture to touch us in the dark, and thePoietiersso near?"
"As to that, cap'n, them Yanks can see in a fog, or the dark, as well as in daylight, but I'm blessed if there isn't a boat nearby."
Carter put his hands to his lips, and in a voice louder than any fog horn, cried:
"Boat ahoy! where are you?"
There was a slight cessation of the sound of oars, but no further notice was taken.
And again, with the fullest force of his lungs, the captain shouted:
"Boat ahoy! where are you going?"
An indistinct voice replied:
"What ship hails? Ahoy there!"
"Give me your name," cried Carter, "or I'll fire!"
A long laugh was distinctly heard by those on the deck of theCaroline, followed by the question:
"What ship hails?"
"TheCaroline, of Bristol," answered the captain. "Your name?"
"TheLively Bee, privateer!" was the daring answer.
The merchant captain saw now that he was in danger.
His coolness forsook him, and he cursed his officers as though they were to blame.
"On deck, all of you!" he shouted.
"Make ready to repel boarders!"
Gordon took up the cry and repeated it, in tones loud and stentorian, down the hatchway, adding various expletives by way of emphasis.
The men came hurrying up the ladders, all excited and angry at being disturbed.
They heard the regular dip of the oars, but the fog was too dense for theLively Beeto be seen.
The crew of theCaroline, armed with pistols and cutlasses, awaited the enemy.
The cannon were of little or no use, for it was only a waste of effort to fire at random, and theLively Beewas hidden from view.
Captain Vernon knew that thePoietierswas very close, and so the less noise made the better.
He had said: "Use no pistols if you can help." And the men answered in their cheery way: "Ay, ay, sir!"
When the privateer was within a few yards of the English brig her tall spars were for the first time visible.
A fusillade of pistol shots rattled through the rigging, but did no serious damage.
The privateersmen crouched below the bulwarks of their taut little schooner until her bow passed over the waist of the brig.
Then, with a ringing cheer, these daring men sprang up and made a simultaneous leap into theCaroline'srigging.
They swarmed to her deck like a crowd of wasps, bent on stinging their victims to death.
Cutlasses were vigorously used.
The sharp clang of steel was drowned at times by the groans of the wounded, the quick crack of the pistols only seemed like an accompaniment to the clashing of the cutlasses.
The Englishmen were driven back, not by weight of numbers, but partly because they were taken unawares, and most of them aroused from slumber.
But in prowess the crew of the privateer had also the advantage.
They were born fighters, and every blow was given with intent to kill.
Captain Carter had fought furiously, but had been wounded fatally by a cutlass blow from John Tempest.
Nearly all the crew of theCarolinelay on the deck, with wounds great or small.
It was a dismal sight, as the privateersmen moved around with lanterns looking at the faces of the dead and dying.
"Can there be any one below?" asked Tempest.
"I thought I heard a cry, sir," answered Scarron.
"Ay, a woman's cry."
"Not likely that same, sir, asking your pardon for being so bold, but women don't go to sea at times like these."
"We must search the ship and report."
"Ay, ay, sir; it is a great prize we have made."
"Can we get it to port, think you?"
"That's what I'd like to know, sir; it will be hard work, for she must be a hundred and fifty ton heavier than theLively Bee."
"Double that, Scarron."
Mr. Tempest took a lantern and went down the companionway.
The captain's cabin was untenanted; but on the other side of the gangway was another cabin, the door of which was locked.
"Is any one in there?" shouted the young officer, but received no answer.
"Open the door!" he shouted again, but still his command was unheeded.
"Mr. Scarron, I feel sure there is some one in that room. Can you break open the door?"
"Ay, ay, sir!"
Mr. Scarron's foot was sent against the door with such force that the panels were splintered, and even the frame split asunder.
Tempest held up the lantern to look around the little cabin.
"Great Heaven! A woman," he exclaimed.
And there, huddled upon the floor insensible, lay a female form.
"Captain's wife!" muttered Scarron. "Poor woman, she does not know she is a widow."
"She is too young to be his wife," said Tempest. "Come, help me move her."
"Perhaps she is dead."
"No, no, sir; I saw her hand move, and blow me, sir, but she has a pretty hand; if only her face——"
"Stop that, Scarron; show me a light here. This is notime for talk like that. We have all our work before us, and but little time to do it."
While Mr. Scarron held the lantern, Lieutenant Tempest raised the prostrate girl in his arms.
The light streamed across her face, and Tempest almost dropped his burden.
A shriek-like exclamation burst from him.
"Bertha!"
He raised her still more, so that he could look closer into her features.
"My God, am I dreaming?" he exclaimed, and then, seeing Scarron's surprised face, he continued:
"This lady is my betrothed; but how she came here I cannot say."
Scarron turned his head away, and muttered to himself:
"Poor fellow! He has been deceived. Why will men trust woman? She was false, as they all are."
Although Tempest recognized his betrothed, and his heart naturally wished for her recovery, he dare not stay.
She had swooned, and nature would work her recovery.
He would not neglect his duty, and there was much to be done, or the rich prize would be taken from them.
He returned to theLively Bee, and after converse with the captain it was resolved to run back to the nearest port and take in theCaroline.
Already the fog was lifting, and the first rays of dawn breaking through the night clouds.
TheCarolineandLively Beemust be many miles away before morning came.
The crew was a small one, but to Tempest's great joy, he found among the sailors of theCarolinefive Americans who had been impressed, and who were delighted at the thought of sailing under the starry flag.
The sails were set, and though the risk of running landward in such a fog was great, the two vessels attempted it, and when the sun made its morning obeisance to nature, and the beautiful rays of jeweled fire illumined the ocean, Captain Vernon congratulated Tempest on his capture, and rejoiced to think that thePoietierswas not in sight.
A STRANGE SAIL.
"And there, while thread shall hang to thread,Oh, let our ensign fly!The noblest constellation setAgainst our northern sky."
"And there, while thread shall hang to thread,Oh, let our ensign fly!The noblest constellation setAgainst our northern sky."
TheCarolinewas one of the best ships in the British merchant service.
She was as strongly built as a man-of-war, and in fact could easily be transformed into a vessel of war.
The Union Jack of England still floated from her peak, and Tempest had deemed it prudent not to lower it until out of sight of the British squadron.
But now that the sun was shining, and no war ship appeared above the horizon, he changed his mind.
"Haul down that flag, boys!" he shouted, and a dozen willing hands were at the halliards.
The flag seemed endowed with life or reason.
For one moment it floated proudly and, as it seemed, defiantly, then fell limp and dejected to the rope, never once fluttering or showing sensibility to the breeze.
It lay on the deck, a prisoner of war, and in its place there gradually arose that ensign of the free—the Stars and Stripes.
The men cheered the rising flag, and Tempest, who was in command of theCaroline, addressed the men most eloquently:
"The flag of our nation is committed to your care," he said. "Never let it be lowered by the hands of slaves or of enemies. Let it float there, as long as one arm can hold a cutlass to defend it."
And all the crew responded by giving a hearty cheer.
Tempest repaired to the cabin wherein he had left Bertha Decatur.
She had aroused from her swoon, only to fall into a deep slumber again.
She knew not whether the whole events of the night had been but a dream, for her brain was confused.
She thought of the noise on deck, the shuffling of feet, the clashing of steel, the muttered curses, the cries of the wounded, and then all had become hushed. She had fainted.
Was it a dream, or was it a terrible reality? If so, what would be her fate?
She knew that Captain Carter would use no violence other than forcing her to be his wife, and that she could effectually resist by death.
And she was resolved to die rather than submit to such a life.
Tempest knocked at the cabin door, which he had roughly boarded up after Scarron's foot had done its work so effectually.
But there was no response, and a message that Captain Vernon was coming on board caused him to hasten to the deck.
"The shock of your presence might be too much for her," said Vernon. "Let me prepare Miss Decatur."
The captain of theLively Beehad only seen Bertha once, and he did not think she would recognize him.
He knocked at the cabin door, and she bade him enter.
She started as she saw a stranger.
"Well, sir?"
"Miss Decatur, I am a stranger to you, but I would like permission to say a few words to you."
"Proceed, sir; only, if you are here to plead his cause, your words will be in vain."
"Whose cause?"
There was a disdainful curve of the beauty's lips as Vernon asked the question.
"Sir! there surely is no need of such assumed ignorance. I am a prisoner——"
"A prisoner—yes, but your captors mean you well."
Vernon misunderstood her meaning.
She smiled.
"Wish me well—ay, perhaps so. The bird taken from the wild freedom of the forest is cared for in its gilded cage, but it prefers freedom, even with all its dangers."
"You are free, Miss Decatur—free as any one under our flag can be."
"Under your flag, sir—yes! But your flag is one which covers traitors and oppressors. Its every fold is dyed in the blood of true patriots who have fought against it."
"You do not know——" interrupted Vernon.
"Do I not? Have I not a brother who maimed himself for life rather than fight under your flag?"
"You are wrong. The Stars and Stripes float from the peak of this ship."
"Since when?" she asked, contemptuously, and, before he could answer: "Since when have you learned to lie and cheat for your captain's sake?"
"I am captain."
Bertha turned her back on the captain for a moment. She was trying to quell the anger rising in her breast, for she fully believed that Vernon had been sent as an emissary from Carter.
"I have already given my answer to the captain," she said. "Now leave me to my misery."
"What is the captain's name?" asked Vernon.
"Carter; if you insist on your catechetical insults."
"He is dead."
"Dead?"
"Yes; do you not know that this ship was captured by the Americans, and is now on her way to the nearest port?"
"Are you speaking the truth?"
"As Heaven is my judge! Come on deck and you will see the Stars and Stripes floating from the peak."
"If what you say is true, who are you?"
"I am Harry Vernon of theLively Bee, privateer, and this vessel is under the command of my first officer——"
"Oh!"
"You have met him before. He knows your brother well."
"Does he?"
Bertha was still incredulous, and Vernon was more than ever puzzled what to do with her.
She saw that he hesitated, and all her doubts returned.
"When shall we reach port?" she asked.
"Within twenty hours, if the winds are favorable."
"And how long would it take to reach Jamaica?"
"Forty-eight hours, or even more."
"Thank you."
"Miss Decatur, I see you do not trust me. I will send for one who may perhaps have more influence with you than I have."
"If you do I shall kill myself," she exclaimed angrily.
"Shall you? We shall see."
He hastily wrote a line on a slip of paper and gave it to a deckhand to deliver.
"I have sent for him," said Vernon.
"He will not see me alive."
Vernon saw she was desperate, and to prevent her carrying out her threat he seized her hands.
"Unhand me! I am your prisoner, but I am a woman. Let me die, for death would be better than a life such as he proposes."
"Don't be stupid, Miss Decatur, the man I sent for is John Tempest——"
"It is false!"
But as she uttered the words Tempest entered the cabin.
"Bertha!"
"John! What does it all mean?"
Tempest had heard the last words uttered by Bertha, and he was trembling violently.
"Do you hate me so much?" he asked.
"Hate you? No, I spoke of Captain Carter——"
"Of this ship?"
"Yes."
"What was he to you?"
"How can you ask? Do you not know that he visited my home and professed to love me—that when I told him I was engaged to another he declared I should never marry any one but himself? My brother ordered him to leave the house, and then, late that night, two men overtook me as I was returning home; they gagged me and carried me to a boat, from which I was taken to this ship, which was in the offing."
"I thank Heaven I killed that captain! My friend, here, is captain of theLively Bee, privateer, and he has captured this vessel——"
"No, no, Tempest. I did nothing of the kind. You made the capture, for you led the assault, and you ran up the Stars and Stripes."
"Let me see it," said Bertha, still almost doubting.
She walked up the companionway and stood on the deck, the first time in nearly a month.
When her eyes looked upward and saw the American flag proudly floating from the mast, she fell on her knees, and in a loud voice thanked Heaven for her deliverance.
But her strength was overtaxed, and she fell back on the deck in a fainting condition.
Tenderly Tempest carried her below and placed her on the cabin lounge.
How he wished that there had been another woman on board to attend to her wants; but wishes would not bring one, and so he had to enact therôleof nurse.
Mr. Scarron found three guns on board theCaroline, but very little ammunition.
"Ask Captain Vernon to give you a few charges," said Tempest, "for we may have to defend ourselves before we reach port. And tell Captain Vernon that I shall not desert theCarolinewhile there is the least chance of saving her."
The day wore on apace, and all had good hopes that by the morrow's morn an American port would be entered.
But the sun was just setting, its golden rays were dancing on the green waters of the Atlantic, when Mr. Scarron rushed unceremoniously into the cabin where Tempest sat holding Bertha's hand in his own, and praying for her return to consciousness.
"A sail! A strange sail, sir, and I believe she flies the British flag. If so, she is armed. Come on deck, Mr. Tempest, for, blow me, but I think we are in for a fight!"
The words fell so fast from Mr. Scarron's lips that he was scarcely distinct, but Tempest's face paled, not with fear for himself, but a precious life was now at stake, and he feared everything for her sake.
Scarron reached the deck in a couple of bounds, and again shouted:
"We are signaled to lay to, sir. What shall we do?"
BOB, THE POWDER-MONKEY.