"Yes, a solemn oath. We are engaged in fighting an enemy which claims to be empress of the seas. Will you swear that, whatever happens to me, you will stay by the _Lively Bee_ as long as her timbers hold together, or until our flag is acknowledged on the ocean as well as on land?" "I swear it, Vernon!" "I thought you would. I have made my will; the _Lively Bee_ will be under your command if anything happens to me." "Why so despondent? You do not think we shall go down in the gale?" "No, but ours is a venturesome life, and I like to get things in order." "Captain, the water is gaining on us." "Pump away, lads; the back of the storm is broken." Tempest went to the pumps, and saw one of the men whose arms were tired, and whose whole body showed exhaustion. "Stand away, Mike; let me have a turn for a few minutes." "You, sir? You're a gentleman." "I am a sailor, Mike, and can work as well as fight or give orders." The rough seaman looked at the lieutenant and could scarcely believe his senses. "No, no, sir; this 'ere work is not for the likes of you." "Stand aside and rest a bit; I'll call you when I'm tired." "Which'll be precious soon, I'll warrant me," growled Zeke Patten, a surly, discontented man. "You hold your tongue unless you can be civil, Zeke," said Mullen, "or I'll make you." Tempest heard both remarks, but did not let it be seen. He took Mike's place and worked with an energy they had not counted on. "Why don't you sing, boys?" he asked; "the work is so much easier." "Can't get our breath then." "Well, I'll try." And Lieutenant Tempest began singing an impromptu doggerel, which the sailors thought the most perfect poetry ever written. "The _Lively Bee_ will weather the storm, Yoho! my boys! yoho! For she's taut and trim and spick and span, Yoho! my boys! yoho! She'll make the British lower their rag, And make them honor our own dear flag, Then, boys, let not your spirits lag, Yoho! my boys! yoho!" With what zest they worked! The water was diminished in the hold, and the _Lively Bee_ was weathering the storm splendidly. But the storm was not over. It seemed as though the elements were tired and had need of a short respite, for there was a lull and the men breathed again, glad that they would get a rest. Mike had again taken his place at the pump, Zeke and Mullen had been replaced by others, and the pumps gained on the water splendidly. Suddenly a flash of lightning darted along the sky, making the green billows as bright as in daytime. Like a glittering serpent it flashed across, and simultaneously the air was rent with a report so loud that the _Lively Bee_ quivered and shook as though it had been an animate being and was afraid of the storm. There was such a lull and awful stillness that the helmsman had no control of the _Lively Bee_. "Hard-a-weather----" shouted the captain; "hard-up, for your life!"