Another man crept up just as quietly to meet the same fate, while a third, thinking something was wrong, saved his life by hesitating. Tempest turned a flash from his lantern down the steps and saw the merchant captain handing a pistol to the hesitating sailor. A quick shot pierced the traitor's heart, and the sailor fell on his knees and begged for mercy. Thus ended the attempt to recapture the prize. In the morning the _Lively Bee_ towed the merchant prize into port and placed her in the hands of a reliable agent for sale. CHAPTER XV. THE WASP'S STING. "Like the fierce bird of Jove the Wasp darted forth, And he the tale told, with amazement and wonder. She hurled on the foe from her flame-spreading arms The firebands of death and the red bolts of thunder." Captain Jacob Jones was one of the proudest men in the American navy; his pride had good foundation, for he had served in the war with Tripoli and had been a captive among the barbarians of Northern Africa. When he left the Delaware in command of the U. S. ship _Wasp_, to fight the British, he determined that his vessel should be as great a torment to the enemy as the insect after which she was named was to people on shore. After a few days' cruising he fell in with the _Lively Bee_, and learned that the _Frolic_ and _Poietiers_ were cruising about in the waters nearby. Not long after a bunch of sails was sighted at some distance. The most careful examination failed to reveal the character of the strangers. Jones was filled with curiosity. He drew nearer the strange ships and reconnoitered. The wind was blowing great guns, and a heavy sea was running. Only the day before, the _Wasp_ had lost her jibboom, with two sailors who were upon it. The American seemed thoroughly at home in a storm. His whole soul was in his work, and he cared not for wind or hurricane. As he drew near, he saw that the strangers were merchantmen, under the protection of an English man-of-war. The merchantmen were well armed, some carrying as many as twelve guns. Jones knew it would be suicidal folly to attack all at once, so he kept on a course parallel with the Englishman all that day and through the night. Early the next morning the Britisher saw the American, and showed his teeth. The Jackies were at work on both vessels, repairing the damages caused by the storm. The _Wasp_ ran up the Stars and Stripes. It was a defiance. But the Englishman answered by running a Spanish flag up the halliards. Jones was not deceived, for he knew the frigate to be the _Frolic_, and the foe was worthy of his steel. The ships drew near each other. The sea was rough, the wind high, and both captains were confident that before an hour had passed one ship would have to strike its flag. When less than sixty yards away, and both running on the starboard tack, the action commenced. Broadsides were exchanged, the _Frolic_ firing three to the _Wasp's_ two.