[CHAPTER XIV.]
THE LIVELY BEE'S PLUCK.
"'Now coil up y'r nonsense
'Bout England's great navy,
And take in y'r slack
About oak-hearted tars.'"
Sang the crew of the Lively Bee as they worked hard getting ready to proceed to sea.
Mr. Scarron, who led the song, stopped suddenly, and with a Yankee exclamation, more forcible than polite, declared that he hoped he might go to Davy Jones' locker if his eyes didn't see "Lieutenant Tempest a-coming aboard the Lively Bee."
"Shiver my timbers, but you are right, sir," answered Mr. Watson, "and it is a right good day for the Lively Bee."
It was true.
In the captain's boat, seated by the side of Vernon, was John Tempest, who had declined the offers made by Captain Hull, and had thrown in his fate with that of the privateer.
A hearty ringing cheer from the crew welcomed the young man on board, and Scarron led off with the chorus, which was then so popular in the navy:
"'Charge the can cheerily,
Send it round merrily;
Here's to our country and captains commanding.'"