In an instant the ports of the sham merchantman were knocked out; and, with warlike thunder, the heavy carronades hurled their ponderous shots against the side of the war ship. Before the Britisher could reply the _Lively Bee_ had sent a shot careening over the enemy's deck, killing the first lieutenant and two of the men. The English ship replied but feebly. The men of the _Essex_ and _Lively Bee_ fired too quickly and too accurately for much resistance, and in less than eight minutes after the engagement opened the British hauled down their flag. The captured ship proved to be the sloop-of-war _Alert_, mounting twenty eighteen-pound carronades. The boarding officer found her badly cut up, and seven feet of water in the hold. The officers were sent on board the _Essex_, and the _Alert_ taken in tow. The victory was complete, but hardly one to be exultant over, as the _Essex_ was superior both in size and armaments to the _Alert_. However, the _Essex_ has the honor of having the first British war ship. CHAPTER VIII. SCENTING MUTINY. The _Essex_ did not keep the _Alert_ long. It was troublesome to tow such a vessel any distance, and the _Lively Bee_ had the first claim, as it was not quite seaworthy. But while Captain Porter was deliberating what to do with his capture, an event occurred to hasten his resolve. The crew of the _Lively Bee_ were very friendly with the men of the _Essex_, and the same feeling was entertained by the officers. With one exception. For reasons we have already given, John Tempest was not welcomed on board the _Essex_. The crew would have lionized him, but Captain Porter could not well receive him. Middie Farragut was always finding excuses for visiting the _Lively Bee_, for he was fond of the company of Tempest. On the third day after the capture of the _Alert_, the two young men--for man we must call Farragut, though not one in years--were seated in the _Bee's_ cabin when Tempest whispered suddenly: "You ought to be careful of those prisoners." "What do you mean?" "They are numerous, and you give them free run of the ship." "Where is the danger?" "Suppose they were to mutiny?" Farragut laughed, but there was a little uneasiness in the laugh, for he had thought of the same thing. When he returned to the _Essex_ that night he hesitated whether to tell the captain of his fears or not, but he decided that he would only be laughed at, so he held his peace. It so happened that Captain Vernon was to stay all night on board the _Essex_, as the guest of Captain Porter, and Farragut was glad, for he thought that even one extra man on board would be of use in case of mutiny. With these thoughts on his mind he threw himself in his hammock and was soon asleep. But he dreamed of mutiny. His brain would not rest. Several times he listened, but all was still, save for the regular tramp of the men on duty. Once a strange feeling of fear came over him.