John De Morgan

“ The boy appealed to the crew of a boat which had just reached the wooden dock.
"Ay, ay, sir, and as brave an officer as ever carried a sword."
The midshipman stepped into the boat, the men dipped their oars, and the crowd watched the boat glide over the water until the Essex, a thirty-two gun frigate, was reached.
"What did I tell you?" asked the old salt who was known as Sam Buller, "what did I tell you? Going to war with chits of boys, not old enough to be a cook's slavey, as officers."
"Say what you like, that boy may not be as strong, but he is as brave as any man in the service." ”

“ The bird taken from the wild freedom of the forest is cared for in its gilded cage, but it prefers freedom, even with all its dangers."
"You are free, Miss Decatur—free as any one under our flag can be."
"Under your flag, sir—yes! But your flag is one which covers traitors and oppressors. Its every fold is dyed in the blood of true patriots who have fought against it."
"You do not know——" interrupted Vernon.
"Do I not? Have I not a brother who maimed himself for life rather than fight under your flag?"
"You are wrong. The Stars and Stripes float from the peak of this ship." ”

“ The lightning flashed and leaped about like phantasmagoric demons, as if mocking the sailors in their frantic dread.
"Cut away the foremast—look lively, men!"
Lieutenant Tempest had been prepared for this order, and with an ax severed the distended shrouds, which flew wildly in the air, lashing the sea as they fell.
The remaining straps parted with sharp reports before the ax descended, and the unsustained mast, after a few vigorous blows by the daring hand of the young officer, snapped off a few feet from the deck. ”

“ One can easily imagine the consternation in that brilliant assembly when Bob, the powder-monkey of the privateer, took upon himself the duties of toastmaster, and asked that distinguished gathering of banqueters to drink to the officers and crew of the Lively Bee.
The diplomatic corps looked aghast.
There wasn't one of the nations they represented but would employ privateers if at war, but they would not just then acknowledge it.
As one quaint old sea dog put it.
"A privateer is a man who does all the dirty work in a naval war, receives all the kicks, and watches others enjoy the glories." ”

“ The Lively Bee, privateer, had won the laurels of war, though she had not shared in the prizes, and Captain Vernon saw that the crew were getting somewhat dissatisfied. He called all hands on deck.
"Men, under the shadow of the U. S. frigate Constitution I offer you terms," he said.
All listened attentively, for all were in wonder as to his meaning.
"You are all fighters, and I believe desire to see the Stars and Stripes honored on the sea as well as on land. Is not that so?"
"It is. I can speak for all hands, captain," said Mr. Scarron. ”

“ Stay, captain, I have not finished. If you thought of my wife as I do—if she was to you the perfection of heaven transferred to earth, you would hate me for being her husband, for you would want her. If Pauline was to me what you think her, I should hate you, for I should wish to claim such beauty and perfection for myself. No, no, old fellow! Our loves are all they should be. And I pray Heaven to strike me dead that moment I first begin to think any woman more beautiful or more perfect than my Bertha. ”

“ When the privateer was within a few yards of the English brig her tall spars were for the first time visible.
[Pg 103]
A fusillade of pistol shots rattled through the rigging, but did no serious damage.
The privateersmen crouched below the bulwarks of their taut little schooner until her bow passed over the waist of the brig.
Then, with a ringing cheer, these daring men sprang up and made a simultaneous leap into the Caroline's rigging.
They swarmed to her deck like a crowd of wasps, bent on stinging their victims to death.
Cutlasses were vigorously used. ”

“ Tempest had lost consciousness, but, as Dacres said, "while there is life there is hope."
"Pull hard, you lazy fellows," shouted the English captain. "A few minutes' delay, and one of the bravest men I have known will be dead."
The men bent their backs, and the oars dipped the water. Never had boat sped along so fast.
Eagle was rubbing Tempest's stomach and chest as he lay in the boat.
A loud cheer greeted the little crew as the boat was made fast alongside the Constitution, and when Lieutenant John Tempest of the Lively Bee, privateer, was lifted on deck, another cheer rent the air. ”

“ Captain Vernon gave the command in a loud, ringing voice:
"Oars down! Give way!"
The oars fell into the water with splendid precision, and the boat made a spurt forward.
"You will find, Mr. Tempest, that on board the Lively Bee we have such discipline that we move like machines."
All the rowers bent to their work, and the captain cheered them with words of praise.
At times he would pretend to be angry.
"You lazy lubbers, are you asleep? Come, rouse up, or we'll never reach the Lively Bee." ”

“ No tidings had been received of the Lively Bee, and Bertha was beginning to feel uneasy; her face was getting wan, her eyes were losing their luster.
Great excitement was of daily experience; sometimes the news making the people hilarious with joy, and at others plunging them into the depths of despair.
Washington was in mourning for the loss of Lawrence, who, though wounded, had shouted to his men:
"Never give up the ship!" ”

“ Will you tell me what you know of the battle?"
"If your honor would like to hear it."
"I am waiting."
"Well, sir, I don't know as how you would care about hearing about what we thought of you when we saw you bearing down on us."
"Of course you were confident of victory?"
"That's true. And many a bet we made as to the amount of prize money we'd receive. You see, your honor, the men who gets most of the fighting, and who have to work the hardest, gets the least of the prize money. But when your boat fired I heard such a strange noise. It was like the tearing of sails just above our heads. ”

“ He reported to Captain Hull, and was asked to describe the state of the Guerriere.
"I came on deck about half-past seven," he said, "and beheld a scene it would be impossible ever to forget.
"All the ship's masts were gone, and as she had no sails to steady her, she was rolling like a log in the trough of the sea."
"Were many killed and wounded?" asked Captain Hull.
"The crew were busy throwing the dead overboard," answered Orne; "the decks were covered with blood, and looked more like a ship's slaughter house. The cockpit is filled with wounded men." ”

“ The people had not realized what war meant, they had not yet faced the dread monster, as in a few months they were destined to do—when the British marched into their city and burned the Capitol and the White House.
That was not dreamed of then, and the people feasted only on the news of distant conflict.
"If the war does not end by the New Year," said Vernon to Bertha Tempest, "I shall fit out another privateer." ”

“ 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. ”

“ An hour passed, and the Lively Bee was within hailing distance.
"Is that the Macedonian?" asked Vernon.
"I think so, captain."
"Then we must show our heels, or go to Davy Jones' locker."
"That is just what I had ordered, sir. We must save the rich prize."
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." ”

“ Then, they have been so thoroughly trained as boarders that every man is prepared for such an emergency, with his cutlass as sharp as a razor, his dirk made out of a file, and a good pistol. Zounds, Tempest, and you, too, captain, but I hope we shall whet our blades soon."
Vernon sighed.
"What do you want us to do? Is the Lively Bee a castaway?"
"No, sir. If we can get to port, a week will make her as good as ever." ”

“ We shall fight, but if we are taken prisoners we shall be hanged. On the one hand I promise you plenty of fighting and lots of prize money, on the other there is the risk of being hanged."
"I will go with you."
"I knew you would. I came ashore purposely to meet you."
"To meet me? You do not know me."
"Don't I? Then perhaps I have made a mistake. I thought you were John Tempest——"
"That is my name; but how did you know me, and why did you want me?"
"You will ship with me?"
"I will."
"Give me your hand. We shall be comrades in many a fight. I am Captain Harry Vernon of the Lively Bee." ”

“ 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." ”

“ When the Lively Bee parted company with the Essex, Captain Vernon began to put her in fighting trim.
"Always be ready, is my maxim," he said to Tempest.
"But surely you do not expect——"
"To meet the enemy? I never expect anything else."
"But we are disabled."
"All the more reason why we may be attacked by the enemy. Our disabled condition invites it."
So the preparations proceeded, and there was not a man on the Lively Bee but hoped a chance of a fight would be offered.
And their wish was gratified.
On the morning of the second day a frigate flying the British flag hove in sight. ”

“ The surgeon in the cockpit got his instruments and bandages ready, the powder-monkeys were in line, the middies strutted about every bit as proud as peacocks, and all the officers waited for the action to commence.
The first gun fired was from the American ship.
The ships were rolling in a manner fatal to good aim.
Half an hour was devoted to throwing away good ammunition, for no other object was gained.
A terrific shout went up from the Yankees as they saw that the Englishman's mizzen topmast was shot away. ”

“ I don't think there is one on board the Lively Bee who would value his life above liberty, but all are ready to die fighting for our flag."
"That is true as gospel, captain."
"The commander of the Constitution will take you all on board, and you can have your fill of fighting the enemy. You will be regular men then, with no risks other than all who engage in war will share with you.
"You can join the United States navy, or can remain on the Lively Bee. ”

“ There was a determination in the conduct of the privateersman which endeared him to his crew.
Had he ordered each man to shoot himself, no one would have hesitated.
They gave their captain the most explicit obedience.
The Peacock drew nearer and challenged the Lively Bee to show its colors.
"You shall have them. Up with the flag of the free, boys!"
And the Stars and Stripes was run up the halliards, while a ringing cheer burst from the crew of the privateer. ”

“ Now go and dress, and I will introduce you to your brother officers."
John Tempest was surprised at the size and comfort of his stateroom.
It was far superior to the one he occupied on the Essex.
He thought it was fit for a lady's bower, and as he thought it he remembered Bertha, and his love for her.
"What will she say of my becoming a privateer?" he asked himself. "Surely the risk is enough. If I am captured, I shall be hanged. If I am shot, I shall die for my country. If Farragut recognizes my captain, why should I be ashamed of him? I will do my duty, and will win Bertha." ”

“ The Lively Bee—a wreck—drifted about on the billows.
Captain Vernon almost sobbed as he thought of her.
The heavens were as black as raven wings, the lightning played across them in streams of fire, the water was phosphorescently illuminated, while great masses of water, [Pg 36] swollen into gigantic billows, burst into glittering foam over the deck.
"We are lost," cried Mike. "Holy Mary, have mercy," Zeke blasphemed, and then with all the superstition of his class declared that there was a Jonah aboard. ”

“ So many mean things have had to be recorded against England in its struggles that it is pleasant to be able to say a good word for Captain Dacres, of the British ship Guerriere, thirty-eight guns.
He had on board a Marblehead sailor, Captain William Orne, who had been captured some days before.
"Orne, tell me," said the captain of the man-of-war, when the American was first sighted, "what think you of yon ship?"
"An American frigate, sir."
"Do you think so? It seems to me she is too bold."
"No, sir. No American can be anything else but bold in this contest," replied Orne. ”

“ I know her cargo well. We must capture her."
"Can we?"
"We must. The Frolic is useless; the Poietiers has all she can do to look after her prisoners. Our opportunity will come."
"Captain, don't think me weak, but my heart beats most violently when I look at that brig; why, I know not."
"It is not weakness. You are as brave as a lion, Tempest; I know the feeling. The risk is great, the odds against us, but I have a presentiment we shall win."
"God grant it."
Soon all was activity on board the Lively Bee. ”