THE END OF THE LIVELY BEE.
The marriage of Harry Vernon with the daughter of Colonel Jones was an event of note in Washington society. No matter how quiet the contracting parties wished it to be, the people said, "No."
Vernon was a public man. He belonged to the public, and his marriage must be a public one.
Such was the verdict of society, and to its edict he had to bow.
The ceremony was but halfway through when a man, wan and weary looking, entered the church and took a seat in the rear pew.
None seemed to recognize him until the bride, leaning on her husband's arm, was nearly opposite him.
Then the groom turned, and with a glad shout left his wife and clasped the stranger's hand.
"Tempest! My dear fellow, you don't know how glad I am to see you."
But there was another equally—nay, if possible more—glad, and that was the loving Bertha.
She did not faint.
She was made of heroic stuff, and while she rested her head on her husband's shoulder she whispered her congratulations on his return.
"But you are ill. You look so poorly."
"Yes, dear, but I am alive, and to be with you will be better than medicine or physician's skill."
At the wedding feast the honored guest was John Tempest.
All were waiting for his story, all knew that there would be sadness in its recital.
Only one question had Vernon asked.
"What of theLively Bee?"
And Tempest had answered:
"At the bottom of the sea. All lost save honor."
Then the story was told.
"TheLively Beehad reached the roadstead of Fayal. The neutral flag of Portugal floated from its citadel, and I thought we were safe.
"But while we were lying in the port, getting fresh provisions and repainting, a British squadron, composed of thePlantagenet, seventy-four guns; theRota, thirty-eight, andCarnation, eighteen, hove in sight.
"The governor of Fayal sent for me and said he was too weak in military forces to protect me, so I must take my chance.
"At night four barges, let fall from the enemy's ships, each manned by forty men, made toward us.
"I ordered to beat to quarters, and when my men were at their posts I shouted:
"'What boat is that? Answer or I'll fire.'
"You know I had four guns, as well as the long one, and when the British refused to answer I ordered a broadside to be fired.
"The carnage was terrible, for my gunners kept loading and firing with astonishing rapidity.
"So hot was the reception they got that the barges returned to the ships.
"But another barge had come up on the leeward, and we were boarded almost before we knew anything about it.
"'Come on, my lads,' I shouted, 'and we'll drive them into the sea.'
"My men fought so desperately that we did drive them into the sea, and the remaining boats put back.
"It was not to be expected that we should escape.
"I ordered the long gun to be loaded and pointed down the hatch.
"When morning came the enemy had closed in upon us and the time had come when we must either destroy theLively Beeor give her up to the English.
"'Haul down that rag,' shouted the captain of thePlantagenet, pointing to the Stars and Stripes.
"'Never,' I answered, and my men cheered lustily.
"I saw the boats put off, manned with boarders, and I knew the hour had come.
"With my own hand I applied the match, and a ball went crashing through the bottom of theLively Bee.
"Then I applied the torch, and a column of flame rose up to the clouds, and told the British that we could die but never surrender.
"We leaped into the water and all the crew reached the island, where we were safe under the neutral flag.
"We could not get any vessel to bear us away, for the British would have pursued and captured the vessel in order to secure us.
"So we stayed there, almost in a starving condition, for three months, until the coast was clear and we managed to get away.
"We have all returned—all save Mullen—he too rests at the bottom of the sea with the vessel he loved so much.
"We have lost all, but we did what we could."
Tempest's eyes were moist with tears as he finished his story.
Vernon clasped his hand.
"No, you have not lost all. A nation thanks you for your work. A nation places the laurel crown on your brow, for you saved the flag; you lost your ship but you saved your honor—your country's honor, and in that defeat you are greater than if you had gained a victory."
"You have not lost all," exclaimed Bertha. "You have a loving wife and faithful friends."
"And I thank Heaven that I have fought for my country and never surrendered its flag," added Tempest, as he resumed his seat.
Congress thanked Vernon and Tempest for their patriotic work, and on the archives of the nation was ordered written a true account of the "Cruise of theLively Bee."
THE END.
theBOYS' OWNLIBRARY
A Selection of the Best Books for Boys by the Most Popular Authors
The titles in this splendid juvenile series have been selected with care, and as a result all the stories can be relied upon for their excellence. They are bright and sparkling; not over-burdened with lengthy descriptions, but brimful of adventure from the first page to the last—in fact they are just the kind of yarns that appeal strongly to the healthy boy who is fond of thrilling exploits and deeds of heroism. Among the authors whose names are included in the Boys' Own Library are Horatio Alger, Jr., Edward S. Ellis, James Otis, Capt. Ralph Bonehill, Burt L. Standish, Gilbert Patten and Frank H. Converse.
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE BOYS' OWN LIBRARY
All the books in this series are copyrighted, printed on good paper, large type, illustrated, printed wrappers, handsome cloth covers stamped in inks and gold—fifteen special cover designs.
150 Titles—Price, per Volume, 75 cents
For sale by all booksellers, or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price by the publisher,
DAVID McKAY,610 SO. WASHINGTON SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA, PA.
One of the best known and most popular writers. Good, clean, healthy stories for the American Boy.
Adventures of a Telegraph BoyDean DunhamErie Train Boy, TheFive Hundred Dollar CheckFrom Canal Boy to PresidentFrom Farm Boy to SenatorBackwoods Boy, TheMark StantonNed NewtonNew York BoyTom BraceTom TracyWalter GriffithYoung Acrobat
One of the best stories ever written on hunting, trapping and adventure in the West, after the Custer Massacre.
Gilbert, the Boy Trapper
A splendid story, recording the adventures of a boy with smugglers.
Smuggler's Cave, The
Capt. Bonehill is in the very front rank as an author of boys' stories. These are two of his best works.
Neka, the Boy ConjurerTour of the Zero Club
An excellent story of adventure in the celebrated Sunk Lands of Missouri and Kansas.
In the Sunk Lands
This writer has established a splendid reputation as a boys' author, and although his books usually command $1.25 per volume, we offer the following at a more popular price.
Gold of Flat Top MountainHappy-Go-Lucky JackHeir to a MillionIn Search of An Unknown RaceIn Southern SeasMystery of a DiamondThat TreasureVoyage to the Gold Coast
One of England's most successful writers of stories for boys. His best story is
Pirate Island
Two books we highly recommend. One is a splendid story of adventure at sea, when American ships were in every port in the world, and the other tells of adventures while the first railway in the Andes Mountains was being built.
Boys in the ForecastleOld Man of the Mountain
Three stories by one of the very greatest writers for boys. The stories deal with boys' adventures in India, China and Abyssinia. These books are strongly recommended for boys' reading, as they contain a large amount of historical information.
Tiger PrinceWar TigerWhite Elephant
These books are considered the best works this well-known writer ever produced. No better reading for bright young Americans.
Arthur HelmuthCheck No. 2134From Tent to White HousePerils of the JungleOn the Trail of GeronimoWhite Mustang
For the past fifty years Mr. Fenn has been writing books for boys and popular fiction. His books are justly popular throughout the English-speaking world. We publish the following select list of his boys' books, which we consider the best he ever wrote.
Commodore JunkDingo BoysGolden MagnetGrand ChacoWeathercock
A graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and thoroughly familiar with all naval matters. Mr. Fitch devoted himself to literature, and has written a series of books for boys that everyyoung American should read. His stories are full of very interesting information about the navy, training ships, etc.
Bound for AnnapolisClif, the Naval CadetCruise of the Training ShipFrom Port to PortStrange Cruise, A
An author of world-wide popularity. Mr. Graydon is essentially a friend of young people, and we offer herewith ten of his best works, wherein he relates a great diversity of interesting adventures in various parts of the world, combined with accurate historical data.
Butcher of Cawnpore, TheCamp in the Snow, TheCampaigning with BraddockCryptogram, TheFrom Lake to WildernessIn Barracks and WigwamIn Fort and PrisonJungles and TraitorsRajah's Fortress, TheWhite King of Africa, The
Every American boy takes a keen interest in the affairs of West Point. No more capable writer on this popular subject could be found than Lieut. Garrison, who vividly describes the life, adventures and unique incidents that have occurred in that great institution—in these famous West Point stories.
Off for West PointCadet's Honor, AOn GuardWest Point Treasure, TheWest Point Rivals, The
The hunt for gold has always been a popular subject for consideration, and Mr. Hill has added a splendid story on the subject in this romance of the Klondyke.
Spectre Gold
Mr. Lewis is a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and has written a great many books for boys. Among his best works are the following titles—the subjects include a vast series of adventures in all parts of the world. The historical data is correct, and they should be read by all boys, for the excellent information they contain.
Centreboard JimKing of the IslandMidshipman MerrillEnsign MerrillSword and PenValley of Mystery, TheYankee Boys in Japan
A series of books embracing many adventures under our famous naval commanders, and with our army during the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Founded on sound history, these books are written for boys, with the idea of combining pleasure with profit; to cultivate a fondness for study—especially of what has been accomplished by our army and navy.
Cadet Kit CareyCaptain CareyKit Carey's ProtegéLieut. Carey's LuckOut With Commodore DecaturBandy, the PilotTom Truxton's School DaysTom Truxton's Ocean TripTreasure of the Golden CraterWon at West Point
Four splendid books of adventure on sea and land, by this well-known writer for boys.
Giant Islanders, TheHow He WonNature's Young NoblemanRival Battalions
This charming story contains thirty-two chapters of just the sort of school life that charms the boy readers.
Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy
Mr. Norris is without a rival as a writer of "Circus Stories" for boys. These four books are full of thrilling adventures, but good, wholesome reading for young Americans.
Phil, the ShowmanYoung Showman's Rivals, TheYoung Showman's Pluck, TheYoung Showman's Triumph
When a boy has read one of Lieut. Orton's books, it requires no urging to induce him to read the others. Not a dull page in any of them.
Beach Boy JoeLast Chance MineSecret Chart, TheTom Havens with the White Squadron
Mr. Otis is known by nearly every American boy, and needs no introduction here. The following copyrights are among his best:
Chased Through NorwayInland WaterwaysUnprovoked MutinyWheeling for FortuneReuben Green's Adventures at Yale
Mr. Patten has had the distinction of having his books adopted by the U. S. Government for all naval libraries on board our war ships. While aiming to avoid the extravagant and sensational, the stories contain enough thrilling incidents to please the lad who loves action and adventure. In the Rockspur stories the description of their Baseball and Football Games and other contests with rival clubs and teams make very exciting and absorbing reading; and few boys with warm blood in their veins, having once begun the perusal of one of these books, will willingly lay it down till it is finished.
Boy BoomersBoy Cattle KingBoy from the WestDon Kirke's MineJud and JoeRockspur Nine, TheRockspur Eleven, TheRockspur Rivals, The
Mr. Rathborne's stories for boys have the peculiar charm of dealing with localities and conditions with which he is thoroughly familiar. The scenes of these excellent stories are along the Florida coast and on the western prairies.
Canoe and Camp FirePaddling Under PalmettosRival Canoe BoysSunset RanchChums of the PrairieYoung Range RidersGulf CruisersShifting Winds
An American story by an American author. It relates how a Yankee boy overcame many obstacles in school and out. Thoroughly interesting from start to finish.
Gay Dashleigh's Academy Days
An exceptionally good story of frontier life among the Indians in the far West, during the early settlement period.
Jack Wheeler
No modern series of tales for boys and youths has met with anything like the cordial reception and popularity accorded to the Frank Merriwell Stories. There must be a reason for this and there is. Frank Merriwell, as portrayed by the author, is a jolly whole-souled, honest, courageous American lad, who appeals to the hearts of the boys. He has no bad habits, and his manliness inculcates the idea that it is not necessary for a boy to indulge in petty vices to be a hero. Frank Merriwell's example is a shining light for every ambitious lad to follow. Twenty volumes now ready:
Frank Merriwell's School DaysFrank Merriwell's ChumsFrank Merriwell's FoesFrank Merriwell's Trip WestFrank Merriwell Down SouthFrank Merriwell's BraveryFrank Merriwell's RacesFrank Merriwell's Hunting TourFrank Merriwell's Sports AfieldFrank Merriwell at YaleFrank Merriwell's CourageFrank Merriwell's DaringFrank Merriwell's SkillFrank Merriwell's ChampionsFrank Merriwell's Return to YaleFrank Merriwell's SecretFrank Merriwell's LoyaltyFrank Merriwell's RewardFrank Merriwell's FaithFrank Merriwell's Victories
These books are full of good, clean adventure, thrilling enough to please the full-blooded wide-awake boy, yet containing nothing to which there can be any objection from those who are careful as to the kind of books they put into the hands of the young.
Cast Away in the JungleComrades Under CastroFor Home and HonorFrom Switch to LeverLittle Snap, the Post BoyZig-Zag, the Boy ConjurerZip, the Acrobat
Good, healthy, strong books for the American lad. No more interesting books for the young appear on our lists.
Adventures of a Young AthleteEric DaneGuy HammersleyMy Mysterious FortuneTour of a Private CarYoung Editor, The
One of the most popular authors of boys' books. Here are three of his best.
Mark Dale's Stage VentureYoung Bank Clerk, TheYoung Bridge Tender, The
This very interesting story relates the trials and triumphs of a Young American Actor, including the solution of a very puzzling mystery.
Young Actor, The
This book is not a treatise on sports, as the title would indicate, but relates a series of thrilling adventures among boy campers in the woods of Maine.
Boats, Bats and Bicycles
This story was first serialized inGolden Hoursfrom November 19, 1892 to January 28, 1893. This electronic edition is derived from a later hardcover reprint.
The treanscriber added the table of contents.
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Inconsistent spellings of the name "Leech"/"Leach" were retained, as both spellings appear an equal number of times.
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