"So he did, Scarron, so he did. But the _Guerriere_ is at the bottom of the sea now." "Now, boys!" shouted the captain, "bid good-by to your sweethearts, for we're off to the Indies, and shall not return until we can tow some prizes into port, and then won't we make the dollars jingle? Let us have a rousing good chorus, Mr. Scarron, before we settle down to duty." "'Charge the can cheerily, Send it round merrily; Here's to our country and captains commanding.'" Again and again did the crew of the _Lively Bee_ repeat the chorus, and as they sang the anchor was weighed, the sails all set, and the privateer was skimming the water as proud and trim as ever. "She is a taut little craft," said Vernon exultingly as he looked from deck to rigging. "Indeed she is, captain, and she deserves to be successful." "As she must be." "Whither are you bound?" asked Tempest after a long pause. "I was thinking of the Indies. What say you?" "I think you are right. If we want prizes we must get away from the fleet. Any prize taken will be so much glory for the navy, so we must work alone. Now, if we can get to Jamaica, we shall be sure to find some rich prizes." "Yes, all the way from a seventy-four to a big merchantman with coffee and sugar, worth----" "Anywhere between thirty and a hundred thousand dollars." "The risk is great." "That is just what we like." The two men were well agreed, and Tempest knew that the captain of the privateer was as stanch as ever. For many days the _Lively Bee_ sailed over the waters without meeting with any hostile ship, and only taking a few small prizes. One morning Lieutenant Tempest called out suddenly: "All hands! make sail!" Vernon was in his cabin, but heard the order and thought his watchful lieutenant saw a storm brewing. He hurried on deck and saw three war vessels in the distance, with their bows pointed in the direction of the _Lively Bee_. "Who are they?" "British, sir, without a doubt." "Then we must run." "I am afraid so, sir; we could not fight three frigates at once." "No, no. Well, we are safe." And he spoke rightly. The _Lively Bee_ was in no danger. With her fine lines and great speed of canvas, she could take advantage of every change of the wind, and pursue it to the uttermost. The _Lively Bee_ would fly with a puff of wind, while the big ships would scarcely move. Before noon the sharp eyes of the first officer had made out the _Frolic_ and the _Poietiers_, both heavily manned frigates. "It is no good tackling them," said the captain. "No, but they may attack us." "We will keep out of range." "They are getting ready to lower the boats, and will board us." "That is what I was afraid of," answered Captain Vernon. "Get out the sweeps, boys, and pull with all your might." Slowly, but with a quicker motion than was possible for the war ships, the _Lively Bee_ got out of the range of the _Frolic_ and _Poietiers_.