A light was seen to the westward, and Vernon muttered something like a curse, for he knew the signal to be from a man-of-war. "Between two fires, Tempest. Only Heaven can save us!" he shouted. And the brave lieutenant replied: "In God we'll trust, sir." But all the same, Tempest felt very anxious, for he had on board the one he loved better than life. CHAPTER XXII. JACK'S REQUEST. "And, oh; it was glorious and strange to behold, What torrents of fire from her red mouth she threw; And how from her broad wings and sulphurous sides, Hot showers of grapeshot and rifle balls flew." "In God we'll trust!" said Tempest, and Bertha Decatur drew nearer to him, as she whispered lovingly: "He will protect us!" Then, with a feminine fear, she asked: "Do you think we shall have to fight?" "I am afraid so; but if we do--can you be brave, my darling--can you bear to hear the truth?" "Tell me what it is you fear." "If we fight we shall be beaten. Against such as yon ship we have no chance. And if the other is a Britisher, we are doomed." "Let me die with you." "We may not be killed." Bertha looked at her betrothed, her lips quivering and her body trembling, not with fear, but rather with the thought that her life might be so short, now that she had begun to realize how well it was worth living. "But--you will never surrender?" she asked proudly. "What would you wish, Bertha?" "Wish? Why, better die than be a prisoner; better give your life for your flag, than live dishonored. We can die together--it would be better." The man at the masthead shouted: "Sail, ho!" Tempest left Bertha, and exclaimed: "Masthead, there!" "Ay, ay, sir!" "Where away is the sail?" The direction was given. It was the sail seen between the _Caroline_ and the shore. "What does she look like?" "A square-rigged vessel, sir." After a few minutes Tempest again shouted: "Masthead, there!" "Sir?" "What flag does she fly?" There was a silence deep and profound as the answer was awaited. "She shows no colors, sir! She is a large ship and bearing down upon us. The Britisher is gaining on us as well." For a moment only did the brave young officer hesitate. It was a bright, sunshiny morning and the air was clear. "Run up the starry banner!" he shouted. It was a defiance, and the crew cheered heartily as the flag ran up the halliards. But the cheering suddenly ceased at a word from the commander. "Masthead, what do you see?" Scarcely a minute elapsed before the answer came. "She has run up the American flag, sir!" What cheering! What joy filled the breasts of the crew! Orders were given to stand toward the American. "What name does she bear?" asked Tempest. "The _United States_," came the answer after a few minutes. "How strange! What will Bertha say?" thought Tempest, for the _United States_ frigate was commanded by her uncle, Captain Decatur. On board the _United States_ everything was being put in order for a naval battle.