[CHAPTER VIII.]
SCENTING MUTINY.
The Essex did not keep the Alert long.
It was troublesome to tow such a vessel any distance, and the Lively Bee had the first claim, as it was not quite seaworthy.
But while Captain Porter was deliberating what to do with his capture, an event occurred to hasten his resolve.
The crew of the Lively Bee were very friendly with the men of the Essex, and the same feeling was entertained by the officers.
With one exception. For reasons we have already given, John Tempest was not welcomed on board the Essex.
The crew would have lionized him, but Captain Porter could not well receive him.
Middie Farragut was always finding excuses for visiting the Lively Bee, for he was fond of the company of Tempest.
On the third day after the capture of the Alert, the two young men—for man we must call Farragut, though not one in years—were seated in the Bee's cabin when Tempest whispered suddenly: