“I have work for you, Mr Templemore,” said the admiral; “you must be ready to proceed on service immediately. We’ve found your match.”
“I hope I may find her, sir,” replied the lieutenant.
“I hope so, too; for, if you give a good account of her, it will put another swab on your shoulder. The pirate schooner, which has so long infested the Atlantic, has been seen and chased off Barbadoes by the Amelia: but it appears that there is not a vessel in the squadron which can come near her unless it be the Enterprise. She has since captured two West Indiamen, and was seen steering with them towards the coast of Guiana. Now, I am going to give you thirty additional hands, and send you after her.”
“Thank you, sir,” replied Edward, his countenance beaming with delight.
“How soon will you be ready?” inquired the admiral.
“To-morrow morning, sir.”
“Very good. Tell Mr Hadley to bring me the order for the men and your sailing orders, and I will sign them; but recollect, Mr Templemore, you will have an awkward customer. Be prudent—brave I know you to be.”
Edward Templemore promised everything, as most people do in such cases; and before the next evening the Enterprise was well in the offing, under a heavy press of sail.