"Sail, ho!"
And the very words sent a thrill through the crew, for they knew that unless there was a doubt about the nationality of the vessel, no cry would have been raised.
"Where away?"
"South, southwest," was the reply.
"What is she like?"
"A schooner."
"Good, and her ensign?"
"She flies the English colors."
Vernon ordered the Union Jack of England to be run up, and all appearances of war to be obliterated.
He gave orders to the helmsman to run the Lively Bee close to the stranger.