In an instant the crew were at their quarters in perfect order, every man armed.
The mutineers thought that a bad time for their project, and waited.
But the captain was not satisfied.
He paraded all the prisoners and ordered them searched.
Nearly every man had some weapon concealed on his person.
When these were taken away, the prisoners were ordered back to their quarters.
And early on the following morning they were put on the Alert, and that vessel was sent to St. Johns as a cartel.
The Essex was saved by the vigilance of young Middie Farragut, and the records at Washington bear proof to the fact.
When off the Maine coast the Lively Bee bade adieu to the Essex, and started for the Penobscot, where she could be put in fighting trim again.