Captain Dacres looked perplexed.
Hull laughed, as he added:
"Have you forgotten our bet made a year ago on the Delaware?"
"No, sir; I now recall it. That hat is yours; but it seems to me you want a new pair of breeches more than a hat," and the Englishman pointed to the torn breeches worn by Hull.
"Ah, you have noticed my personal casualty; but, Dacres, it was my own doing. Don't write to England and say you inflicted the damage."
Tempest, as was expected, had a hard time with the prisoners, who had taken more grog than allowed by the rules of the service.
One of the petty officers staggered up to the young officer.
"By Jove, younker, I'll have you thrown overboard," he said.
A lot of drunken gunners, naked to the waist and armed with cutlasses, cheered him and crowded around Tempest to carry out the threat.