"Boat ahoy! where are you going?"
An indistinct voice replied:
"What ship hails? Ahoy there!"
"Give me your name," cried Carter, "or I'll fire!"
A long laugh was distinctly heard by those on the deck of the Caroline, followed by the question:
"What ship hails?"
"The Caroline, of Bristol," answered the captain. "Your name?"
"The Lively Bee, privateer!" was the daring answer.
The merchant captain saw now that he was in danger.
His coolness forsook him, and he cursed his officers as though they were to blame.