"Blow me! but it seems promotion is rapid on a privateer. Tempest!"
As Farragut shouted the name, the young man turned, his face crimson, for he remembered that the last time he had met the midshipman both were officers of the same ship.
"Mr. Farragut."
"Hoity-toity! How long have I been mister? Am I not still David to you?"
"I hope so?"
"Zounds, man! But your new dignity has made you proud. Don't you ever think of the capers we used to cut up on the Essex? But that was before I was a midshipman."
"Yes, I remember. Those were happy days. I fear me, though, I am a Jonah."
Farragut laughed and gave Tempest a hearty smack on the back, making him wince.
"How did you weather the storm?" asked Vernon.