CHAPTER II.
THE DEPARTURE.
Out in the bay the American fleet was preparing to depart.
Commodore Rodgers had just heard of the declaration of war, and he wasafraid that the order to detain him in the harbor would be signed anddelivered to him before he could start.
He called Captains Bainbridge and Stewart and Porter to the flagshipand asked abruptly:
"How long before you can sail?"
"Ready now, sir," was Stewart's answer.
Rodgers was blunt and always spared himself words.
"Do you want to fight on the high seas or skulk like old hulks in theharbor?" he asked, and added quickly: "You need not answer. I knowyou well. Go back, get ready; we will start within an hour, and onceoutside the Narrows, no President's order can reach us."
The captains swung themselves over the side and were rowed back totheir vessels.
It was a pretty sight. Those "wooden walls" of Columbia, in all thebravery of trimly taut rigging, yards crossed in mathematically preciseorder, hulls newly painted, ports open to reveal the lines of frowningguns, presented a sight which was enough to rouse the enthusiasm ofevery patriot on land.
The fleet under the command of Commodore Rodgers consisted ofthe flagship _President_, carrying forty-four guns; the _Essex_,thirty-two, and the _Hornet_, eighteen.
These three vessels were anchored off the Battery, but they did notcomprise the entire fleet, for over against what is now Liberty Islandwere three more, the _United States_, mounting forty-four guns, asister-ship to the _President_; the _Congress_, thirty-eight, and the_Argus_, sixteen.
Fifty minutes only elapsed after the conference on the flagship beforethe entire fleet was under sail.
"Come, my boys," said Captain Vernon, "we have to overtake the _LivelyBee_ before she reaches the Narrows, and it is a long pull."
Vernon took the helm, young Tempest the bow oar, and a tough old saltthe oar next him.
It was not until they were seated that Tempest saw the face of thesailor next him, and at once took a fancy to him.
Captain Vernon gave the command in a loud, ringing voice:
"Oars down! Give way!"
The oars fell into the water with splendid precision, and the boat madea spurt forward.
"You will find, Mr. Tempest, that on board the _Lively Bee_ we havesuch discipline that we move like machines."
All the rowers bent to their work, and the captain cheered them withwords of praise.
At times he would pretend to be angry.
"You lazy lubbers, are you asleep? Come, rouse up, or we'll never reachthe _Lively Bee_."
The men did pull with more spirit after every outburst of grumbling orreprimand.
Governor's Island was passed, the little boat was saluted by thecaptain of the _Essex_, and Vernon felt proud.
"Tom Mullen, start us a good rousing chorus--that one you sang when wechased the French."
Tempest was surprised, for he had not known that the new sailor wasknown to the captain, or had sailed with him against the French.
The rough old salt, in a voice which had more of the nature of a foghorn than a human being, started singing:
"Americans, then fly to arms, And learn the way to use 'em; If each man fights to 'fend his rights, The English can't abuse 'em. Yankee Doodle--mind the tune-- Yankee Doodle Dandy; For Britons there's trouble brewin'-- We'll spank 'em, hard and handy."
All joined in the chorus, and Tempest looked surprised, for he had allthe prejudices of the navy against the lax discipline of a privateer ormerchantman.
"I changed my gaff a little, cap'n, for we ain't a-fightin' JohnnyCrapaud any more, but the redcoats," said Mullen, well pleased withhimself for having inserted the word English for French in the doggerel.
"You did right, Tom, and if we all fight as well as you sing we'll comeback with our pockets full of chinks and a lot of British prizes intow."
The _Lively Bee_ was still a long way ahead, and Captain Vernon shoutedto the rowers:
"Now my hearties, don't get stiff-backed. Crack the oars! Now, then,bend away!"
The day was hot. Those on shore were bathed in perspiration.
Had thermometers been so plentiful in the streets then as they are nowthey would have told the sweating crowd that ninety degrees in theshade had been reached.
But if standing still, watching the great war vessels sail lazily outof the harbor, was hot work, what must those sailors in the captain'sboat have experienced as they rowed through the waters of the bay atracing speed.
"You lazy lubbers, I guess you think you're in church with your wives,and can go to sleep. Rouse up, will you, and land me on the _LivelyBee_."
Tempest thought he had never been so hot before. He was not afraid ofwork, he expected it.
He had entered as a man before the mast, and he knew a dog's life wasone to be envied when compared with that of a common seaman.
The most barbarous cruelties were practiced on sailors; they werenot treated to any consideration, and therefore John Tempest was notsurprised at the hard work he had to endure.
He was ready to drop with the heat and fatigue, but he would not allowthe captain to see he was tired.
The Narrows were reached before the boat overtook the _Lively Bee_, andthe waters of the Lower Bay were entered before the captain and his menstood on the deck of the famous schooner.
The crew saluted the captain, who responded warmly, and then badeTempest follow him to the cabin.