"We were on the fringe of it. Quite local, you know, so we did not suffer much."
"Did you fall in with the enemy?"
"Not yet, but we are ready;" and young Farragut had started on a theme of which he never grew tired.
"Every day," he said, "the crew exercise at the great guns, small arms, and single stick. Then, they have been so thoroughly trained as boarders that every man is prepared for such an emergency, with his cutlass as sharp as a razor, his dirk made out of a file, and a good pistol. Zounds, Tempest, and you, too, captain, but I hope we shall whet our blades soon."
Vernon sighed.
"What do you want us to do? Is the Lively Bee a castaway?"
"No, sir. If we can get to port, a week will make her as good as ever."
"Then you want to be towed back?"
"Anywhere will do."
"Captain, come back with me to the Essex, and Captain Porter will arrange with you."