CHAPTER III.
THE LIEUTENANT'S STORY.
"I know you, John Tempest, better than you know me," commenced CaptainVernon, "and before you sign the ship's log I want to have a talk withyou."
Tempest followed, wondering much at the manner and deference shown tohim by the captain of the privateer.
"Sit down, and place yourself outside a stiff glass of that brandy,"said Vernon, helping himself at the same time to a similar dose.
"You possess a time-honored name, young man, and have spunk to maintainit. Have you forgotten that you were on the _Essex_ when the Britishboarded her and demanded the surrender of a deserter?
"Your captain ordered the alleged deserter to prove his citizenship,and he couldn't!"
"But he gave his word," said Tempest.
"Yes, but who believes a man's word in such a case?"
"How do you know all this? Who are you?"
"Captain Vernon, of the good privateer _Lively Bee_."
"Yes, but how did you know----"
"Let me finish. Your captain agreed to give up the sailor, whose namewas----"
Vernon hesitated as though he would have liked Tempest to have finishedthe sentence.
Tempest remained silent, and his captain continued:
"His name was Vincent Decatur."
"You are right, captain, though that was not the name in the ship'sbooks."
"No, he was known on board as James Vincent. He had good reasons forchanging his name: Decatur went below to get his kit. The Britishofficer and squad of marines waited him on deck.
"Decatur saw an ax on the carpenter's bench as he passed. With only amoment's hesitation he seized it in his right hand, and with one blowcut off the left. It was then that you, John Tempest, junior officer onboard the U. S. frigate _Essex_, saw the deed, and congratulated theman on his bravery.
"Decatur went on deck carrying the severed hand with him. He presentedhimself before the British officer, maimed and useless as a sailor forlife.
"He showed his bleeding wrist to the officer, and, almost faint withloss of blood, he managed to say:
"'Sir, I swore I would never serve under the English flag, or recognizeit except as the flag of an enemy. My own captain has deserted me. Iam an American born, and my severed hand will show how I have kept myoath.' Then you, Ensign Tempest, called for three cheers for the braveAmerican sailor. The crew and marines on the _Essex_ responded to thecall, and the cheers ascended through the rigging. Captain Porterintimated that your influence in the service would not be good, and--toput it mildly--asked you to resign your commission. The men would havestood by you, but you knew disobedience to the captain's will wasmutiny, and you offered your resignation, which was accepted. There wasone who did plead for you--Cadet Midshipman Farragut. But Porter wasinexorable, and you became a landsman."
"How do you know all this?"
"I have not yet finished; hear me through and we shall betterunderstand each other."
The _Lively Bee_ was skimming through the water at the rate of fourknots an hour, but so well proportioned was she that the motion wasalmost imperceptible.
"Take another glass of brandy, Tempest."
"No, captain, I have sea legs, but a landsman's head, and cannot standmuch grog."
"You had not been on shore long before you again met Vincent Decatur.He was crippled for life, but was happier than had he been compelled tosail under the British flag.
"You visited him--ah, your face tells me that I am right--you felta strange desire to distinguish yourself, not because of patriotismaltogether, but the bright eyes of Bertha Decatur shone into your verysoul. She would marry none who deserted his country in the hour ofneed. The man she would honor was one who fought for his country. Youheard this and----"
"Shipped on a privateer," added Tempest, almost sarcastically.
"Yes, shipped on the neatest, trimmest, fastest schooner afloat, on the_Lively Bee_, which shall sting so often and so deeply that all Americashall respect its crew."
"How did you learn all you have told me?"
Captain Vernon laughed merrily, and looked at the young ensign almostquizzically.
"You would like to know?"
"I am burning with curiosity."
"Then I will tell you. I heard the story partly from MidshipmanFarragut----"
"You know him?"
"Of course I do."
"And yet when Buller was reviling him at the Battery you did not defendhim."
"No! It would have been an impertinence for a privateer captain todefend a naval officer."
"But young Farragut did not know----"
"Bertha Decatur, no; but I do, and she sang your praises so often thatI wanted to find you. Farragut quietly pointed you out in the crowd atthe Battery, and--well, here you are."
"A man before the mast."
"No. You were ensign in the navy, where promotion is slow; you shall befirst officer on the _Lively Bee_. Will you accept?"
"How can I thank you?"
"By doing your duty. I am proud to have you, Tempest, and I don't thinkyou will ever rue the day you became first officer on the _Lively Bee_."
"I accept your generous offer."
"You have done well. I am a good skipper, I can steer a vessel as wellas any man, and I can fight, but sometimes a little science which younaval fellows have is very useful. I shall expect you to be as ardentan enemy of the British as I am. Show no quarter, have no mercy, sendevery British ship to Davy Jones' locker if you can't take it captive.Let your motto be, as mine is, eternal hatred to British rule."
"I will swear it if necessary."
"No, Tempest, the word of an honest man is all I need. Be watchful."
"I will make no boast, captain, but I think you will find I can dowithout food or sleep as long as any man, and my vigilance shall nevergive you a moment's uneasiness."
"I know it. Now, there is another thing. Although the _Lively Bee_ is aprivateer, we are most punctilious about dress. We are uniformed whenat sea."
"But----"
"In yonder room, which will be yours, you will find a first officer'suniform, which, if I mistake not, will be a fair fit for you. If itwants altering, we have an excellent tailor on board."
"How thoughtful you are, captain."
"Thank you for the compliment. Now go and dress, and I will introduceyou to your brother officers."
John Tempest was surprised at the size and comfort of his stateroom.
It was far superior to the one he occupied on the _Essex_.
He thought it was fit for a lady's bower, and as he thought it heremembered Bertha, and his love for her.
"What will she say of my becoming a privateer?" he asked himself."Surely the risk is enough. If I am captured, I shall be hanged. If Iam shot, I shall die for my country. If Farragut recognizes my captain,why should I be ashamed of him? I will do my duty, and will win Bertha."
He dressed in the uniform, and looked as handsome a privateer as everwalked a deck.
When he stepped up the companionway to the deck, he was met by thecaptain.
"Welcome, Lieutenant Tempest," he said, grasping the young officer'shand.
Turning to the officers, he said in his usual hearty manner:
"Gentlemen, this is Lieutenant Tempest, my first officer, an ableseaman, as I can vouch, an honest man, and an inveterate hater ofEngland. For ten generations his family has been noted for itspatriotism, and the _Lively Bee_ will have the advantage of his name,fame and honor. Lieutenant Tempest, Mr. Scarron and Mr. Webster. I hopeyou will all be good friends."
Scarron and Webster were typical sailors.
Blunt almost to uncouthness, they looked just what they were--ableseamen, good fighters and not overburdened with education orpoliteness.
"I was first officer on a whaler," said Scarron as he furtherintroduced himself.
"And I was a merchant skipper till the French seized my ship and Ipaid away every cent I had as ransom. Now I'm a privateer and ready tofight."
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