"You can join the United States navy, or can remain on the _Lively Bee_. Which shall it be?" "We will stick to you, captain." "Ay, ay, the _Lively Bee_ is a good enough craft for us." "I thought you would say so, and I am well pleased it is so. But we must put into port and get rigged up. We have done a lot of fighting, but it has all been for others. Now, I propose taking some prizes for ourselves. What say you?" There was no need to await a reply. Every man on the _Lively Bee_ was a privateer from choice and inclination. He loved fighting, but wanted prize money as well as glory. "I will then, in your name, decline the offer made by Captain Hull of the _Constitution_, and will make all sail to the nearest port." Captain Vernon boarded the _Constitution_, and was well received. Captain Hull, after he had seen the _Peacock_ disabled, had consulted the captain of the privateer, and had agreed that it was not worth the trouble to overtake the _Peacock_, as she would not be worth much as a prize, and as the British vessel made full sail when the _Constitution_ appeared, he deemed it advisable to let it go. It was then that the captain made the offer to Vernon, which he had submitted to his men. "I see what it is, Vernon. Your answer is one declining to join the navy. Well, mayhap you are right. And we shall meet, it may be, again. I did hear that the _Guerriere_ was in these waters, and I am in search of her." "She is a formidable war ship." "I know, and a strange thing occurs to my mind. I have a bet with the captain on the result of our first engagement." "A wager?" "Yes, over a year ago our two vessels were lying in the Delaware. We exchanged calls. Captain Dacres of the _Guerriere_ is a rattling good fellow--for an Englishman. 'Well, Dacres,' I said I one day, 'you may just take care of that ship of yours, if ever I catch her with the _Constitution_.' Captain Dacres laughed good humoredly, and offered to bet me a sum of money that, in case of a conflict, I should be the loser. 'No,' said I, 'I'll bet no money on it; but I will stake you a hat that the _Constitution_ comes out victorious.' 'Done!' cried Dacres, and so the bet was made." "I wish you luck, captain," said Vernon, "and I wish you may tow the _Guerriere_ into Boston as a prize." "Thanks, Vernon. And I need scarcely say I return the complimentary wish." "I have a favor to ask you," said Vernon. "Name it, and it is granted." "Don't be too positive. I shall be in port a couple of weeks for repairs. I should like to send my first officer with you for that time. Land him at any port you are near. He shall have full directions how to find me." "I should be delighted. What is his name?" "John Tempest." For a moment Captain Hull's face clouded, but a smile soon suffused itself over his countenance. "He was on the _Essex_," said Vernon. "I know it; he resigned. I shall be pleased to have him. He is a rattling good officer."