. . .The exclamation was natural. A sudden gust had swept across the deck, the waves had broken with terrific force, and not one but thought his last hour had come.

The calm which followed saw the captain at the tiller.

"All's well, sir," asserted the steersman.

"We can stand it here, if the water does not gain on us."

"The Lively Bee can stand it, I think."

"Ay, ay, sir; she's the tautest boat I ever sailed in. But we're in for dirty weather afore morn."

Captain Vernon walked forward and again spoke to Tempest.

"Mr. Tempest, I want you to take an oath."

"Captain!"

"Yes, a solemn oath. We are engaged in fighting an enemy which claims to be empress of the seas. Will you swear that, whatever happens to me, you will stay by the Lively Bee as long as her timbers hold together, or until our flag is acknowledged on the ocean as well as on land?"

"I swear it, Vernon!"

"I thought y. . . Read More