The lightning played about the rigging, and Captain Vernon wrung his hands in despair. "Can she live through it?" he asked. "Ay, ay, captain, for the _Lively Bee_ has a glorious work to do." "Heaven grant you are right, Tempest, for she is the pride of my heart." The waves dashed over her deck; the thunders roared like ten thousand parks of artillery; and men who had only used the name of the Creator in blasphemy prayed to Him for succor and safety. CHAPTER VI. STORM AT SEA. "The wind Increased 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 late A 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 the _Lively Bee_ has 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 the _Lively 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 the _Lively Bee_ will 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." "The _Lively Bee_ can 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!"