"I know it. The manifests proved its worth. What did you get for ship and cargo?" "Guess." "I know its worth. A quarter of a million would not build and equip a better vessel than the _Caroline_ and stock her with such a cargo." "You are right, but of course you could not expect full value." "No, I do not." "I obtained two hundred thousand dollars and another four thousand from the government for the _Monarch's_ guns and ammunition." "Is it possible?" "You have not heard all." "What other news in store?" "You are offered the command of the _Caroline_." "I?" "Yes; you, Harry Vernon, of the _Lively Bee_, privateer." "I don't understand." "The purchasers intend fitting the _Caroline_ up as a privateer, carrying four or six long guns, and you are offered the command." "My dear sir, not all the wealth of the Indies could purchase my consent." "Why?" "The _Caroline_ is a fine boat. She would make a good war ship, but she has not the lines of a privateer. It would be impossible to fly from pursuers, or even to pursue. No, no, the _Lively Bee_ is my home." "I told the factor as much, and I was then commissioned to offer the command to Mr. Tempest. What say you, sir?" "That I am flattered, Hamilton, but I am lieutenant of the _Lively Bee_, and for this war I shall tread her deck." "Bravo, Tempest! But what do you think brought me here?" "We have wondered, but our wonderment could not be satisfied." "Then wonder no longer. I received some news. I have just paid my respects to the President and his lady. I heard what a furore you created there, Mistress Tempest." "But the news?" "Was brought to land by an old friend and chum of mine. He was taken sick with ague as soon as he landed. The news was so very urgent that I accepted the mission, and here I am." "But the news?" "Has electrified the President and his Cabinet. But I am hungry. Join me at the dining table, and afterward I will a tale unfold, as the story-books say, and make your hair stand on end, as you hear of the glorious victory." "Victory?" "Ay, man. The _Constitution_ has won a glorious victory, capturing the British frigate _Java_ off San Salvador." "When was that?" "On the twenty-ninth of December," answered Vernon, "just after the _Lively Bee_ ran down the _Gamecock_." "What do you mean?" asked Tempest, his eyes filled with wonder. "Do you think the _Lively Bee_ could remain idle while you were enjoying yourselves? No, sir. We started off on a coasting cruise, hoping to find some West Indiaman bound to or from San Salvador." "And you did?" "It was not much, nothing worth talking about. It happened on the twenty-eighth that we sighted a nice, trim little schooner laden with sugar. "We naturally ordered it to 'lay to,' but the saucy Britisher treated us contemptuously and hoisted her sails to outsail us. The _Lively Bee_ can fly with the wind, and so the saucy _Gamecock_ did not gain very much.