The lines left the boy's face, a brightness came to his eyes, and he left the captain's presence far from decorously, for it was with a hop, skip and a jump.
Decatur directed the attention of the masthead man to the strange sails to the leeward.
"She flies the American flag," was the answer.
"And the other to the north of her?"
"I'd know her anywhere."
"Well?"
"She's all right. As tight a little boat as ever sailed. The Lively Bee, privateer."
"We shall have friends, then."
"Ay, ay, sir. Cap'n Vernon is as stanch as his boat, an' that's sayin' a lot."
"Beat to quarters."