One day I overheard little Midshipman David Farragut talking with Lieutenant McKnight about a boat expedition which was to be sent out some dark night for the purpose of capturing the Cherub, and I burned to make one of the party; but when I spoke of it to my cousin he reproved me sharply, saying that it was not seemly for boys to be listening to the conversations of their superiors.
Now, I never looked upon midshipmen as my superiors. Of course they lived aft, and ordered the other boys, and old men for that matter, about in the most ferocious manner; but it seemed as if the lieutenant was stretching matters when he allowed that thirteen-year-old David Farragut's conversation should not be listened to by such as me, even though he was the captain's adopted son.
However, nothing came of the boat expedition, and perhaps no one save Midshipman Farragut seriously thought of such a rash venture.
It was on the 27th day of February when we believed the time had come for the battle; when Captain Hillyar gave every evidence of being willing to meet us singly.
The Cherub was fully a league to windward when the Phœbe ran in toward the entrance to the harbor, and hoisted a banner on which were the words, "God and Our Country; British Sailors' Best Rights: Traitors Offend Both." Then she fired a gun to windward, giving as plain a signal as sailormen could that she was ready for action.
You may well believe that we did not spend many minutes in getting under way, and on the Essex was flying a banner with this motto, one which we had run up many times before when coaxing the Britishers to stand up like men:—
"Free Trade and Sailors' Rights!"
It seems that the sail-makers had been at work on another banner, for as we came out of the harbor a second was run up to the masthead of the Essex, and on it in bold letters were the words:—
"God, Our Country, and Liberty; Tyrants Offend Them."