"Captain Harry Vernon?"
"Ay, ay, sir."
The boat was too far away as yet for the men to be recognized by the eye, unaided by a glass, and the questions were given in a loud voice through the speaking horn.
Soon the boat was alongside, and young Farragut swung himself up the chains to the deck.
David Farragut—the naval hero of the century—was at that time a bright lad eleven years old.
But, boy as he was, he ordered the old tars about, and was efficient as an officer.
"We feared it might be a British vessel which sighted us," said Captain Vernon.
But Farragut did not notice, his eyes were fixed forward where Tempest was standing.
"Blow me! but isn't that young man Ensign Tempest?" he asked.
"It is Lieutenant John Tempest," answered Vernon.