"Scarron asked permission to fire our long gun, and, of course, I granted it. He did not appear to take proper aim; but he had charge of the gun, not I. To my astonishment the shot went tearing across the deck of the _Gamecock_, splintering her mainmast and killing the first officer. "Its name would lead you to expect a great fight, but at the very first shot down came the flag, and the _Gamecock_ became ours. "It was but a small prize, but one quickly sold, for the very day I reached land I sold vessel and cargo for thirty-eight thousand." "Do you call that a small matter?" "Of course, the _Lively Bee_ likes to run into the hundreds of thousands. But come, let us dine, and then the story of the _Constitution_." Tempest was glad to see his friend; and more so, perhaps, because his departure would be delayed a few days. Bertha did show her appreciation by pinching her husband's arm, a sure indication that she was pleased. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE CONSTITUTION'S GREAT VICTORY. "Now coil up y'r nonsense 'bout England's great navy, And take in y'r slack about oak-hearted tars; For frigates as stout, and as gallant crews have we, Or how came their _Macedon_ decked with our stars? Yes, how came her _Guerriere_, her _Peacock_, and _Java_, All sent broken-ribbed to old Davy of late? How came it? Why, split me, than Britons we're braver; And that too they shall feel, whenever we meet?" Captain Harry Vernon sang the above lines as a sort of introduction to his story. He felt particularly elated. Jack either is boisterously happy, when on land, or else excessively melancholy. Harry Vernon was very jolly--no other word aptly describes his state of mind. Perhaps the generous dinner of which he had just partaken, or it may be the fact that he was the bearer of such good news, affected him; whatever the cause, the fact was unaltered, he was lively and merry, and sang the song with the fervor of a man before the mast. "You will remember," commenced Vernon, "that Captain Hull resigned his command of the _Constitution_ in order that some other officer might win laurels with the noble frigate. "In his place, Bainbridge was appointed, and of course you know, Tempest, that there is not a better or braver man in the entire navy than that same Bainbridge." "I have heard of his gallant conduct in the wars against France and Tripoli," answered Hamilton. "Was the _Hornet_ with the _Constitution_ when the fight took place?" asked Tempest, almost impatiently. "No. It appears not. The _Hornet_ was blockading the _Bonne Citoyenne_, but I must go back or you will not understand. "Fill up, men, and let one night at least be devoted to patriotism and King Bacchus. Bertha--I beg pardon, Mistress Tempest--will excuse you for one night," and Vernon laughed heartily, as though he had perpetrated a joke.