In less than two hours the Lively Bee was being towed by the Essex.
Captain Vernon looked to his guns and ammunition, and to his great satisfaction found that everything was safe and his powder dry.
He rigged up a mast, and before the end of the next day told Captain Porter he was in no particular hurry about making port, that a few days would make but little difference.
"I am glad to hear you say that, Vernon, for I believe we shall have a chance to smell powder within the next forty-eight hours."
"Then I would not think of taking you out of your way."
The Essex was intended for a victor.
Its commander was a fighter, and as good a tactician as ever walked the deck of a man-of-war.
During the calm he ordered the Essex to be disguised.
The top-gallant masts were housed, the ports of the gun deck closed in, and her usually trim cordage and nicely-squared yards were set in a way that only the most shiftless of merchant skippers would tolerate.