CHAPTER XXVII.
AN UNEXPECTED PLEASURE.
"To-morrow, Bertha, I must leave the city to rejoin the _Lively Bee_,"said Tempest to his bride, on the evening of the fifth day of January.
"Alas! that it should be so," responded Bertha.
"You would not wish me to neglect my duty?"
"No, dear, a thousand times, no. I have loved you because you were sotrue. Your country is your first love, and were you false to your flagI should even doubt your love for me." She had spoken bravely, but herheart was full of grief.
She knew too well what dangers he would have to encounter, and the_Lively Bee_, though almost invincible, was so small to grapple withsuch an enemy as the British.
While yet they talked, Lieutenant Hamilton of the _United States_, withface all beaming, interrupted their tearful talk.
"I have sold the prizes. Everything is adjusted," he said.
"That is good news."
"Indeed it is, for I must rejoin at once and you----"
"Shall journey with you."
"That is good news, though I am sorry you have to leave your youngwife."
And the young naval officer bowed most courteously to Bertha Tempest.
"I would not wish my husband to fail in his duty," she answered,blushing as she mentioned the word "husband," it sounded so new andstrange to her.
"Bertha will be in good hands," said Tempest. "She has made such lotsof friends, and Mrs. Madison declares she will have her as a frequentvisitor at the White House."
"I am very glad."
"So am I."
The words were not spoken by either of the three.
It was a new voice which chimed in, and one that all three easilyrecognized, for no one could be deceived who had ever heard HarryVernon of the _Lively Bee_ speak.
But how came he in Washington?
What new business had brought him there?
He must have followed quickly on their heels, for traveling was slowwork in those days.
"Well, Hamilton, how have you succeeded?"
"Well, passing well; that cargo of the _Caroline_ was a rich one."
"I know it. The manifests proved its worth. What did you get for shipand cargo?"
"Guess."
"I know its worth. A quarter of a million would not build and equip abetter 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 fromthe 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 myconsent."
"Why?"
"The _Caroline_ is a fine boat. She would make a good war ship, but shehas not the lines of a privateer. It would be impossible to fly frompursuers, 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 thecommand to Mr. Tempest. What say you, sir?"
"That I am flattered, Hamilton, but I am lieutenant of the _LivelyBee_, 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 myrespects to the President and his lady. I heard what a furore youcreated there, Mistress Tempest."
"But the news?"
"Was brought to land by an old friend and chum of mine. He was takensick with ague as soon as he landed. The news was so very urgent that Iaccepted the mission, and here I am."
"But the news?"
"Has electrified the President and his Cabinet. But I am hungry. Joinme at the dining table, and afterward I will a tale unfold, as thestory-books say, and make your hair stand on end, as you hear of theglorious victory."
"Victory?"
"Ay, man. The _Constitution_ has won a glorious victory, capturing theBritish 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 wereenjoying 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 thetwenty-eighth that we sighted a nice, trim little schooner laden withsugar.
"We naturally ordered it to 'lay to,' but the saucy Britisher treatedus contemptuously and hoisted her sails to outsail us. The _Lively Bee_can fly with the wind, and so the saucy _Gamecock_ did not gain verymuch.
"Scarron asked permission to fire our long gun, and, of course, Igranted it. He did not appear to take proper aim; but he had charge ofthe gun, not I. To my astonishment the shot went tearing across thedeck of the _Gamecock_, splintering her mainmast and killing the firstofficer.
"Its name would lead you to expect a great fight, but at the very firstshot down came the flag, and the _Gamecock_ became ours.
"It was but a small prize, but one quickly sold, for the very day Ireached 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 hundredsof 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 hisdeparture would be delayed a few days.
Bertha did show her appreciation by pinching her husband's arm, a sureindication that she was pleased.