[CHAPTER XXXII.]
HOW BOB KEPT HIS OATH.
All doubt had ended. The Regina, of Torquay, professedly laden with tin, was as well armed as a war vessel, and was either a British privateer or a man-of-war of the second class.
The captain of the Lively Bee was not afraid of a hand-to-hand encounter.
But with all his courage, he almost trembled when he saw that he was outnumbered almost two to one.
He looked at his own men to see how they felt, and to his great joy their faces were radiant with happiness.
The men were wishing for a fight, and saw a foe worthy of their steel.
The two vessels were so close that a seaman could easily jump from one to the other.
The Regina took the initiative, and commenced lashing the two vessels together.
But though the Britons were eager to fight, the Americans were equally so, and, headed by Vernon, the crew of the Lively Bee leaped on the Regina's deck, much to the surprise of the latter's crew.