"I wish you were going with us, Tempest," said Farragut.
"So do I; but I cannot say I wish you were going with us."
"Why not?"
"The Essex is a war ship, the Lively Bee but a privateer," answered Tempest, sadly; for he still thought there was something of disgrace in being a privateer.
David Farragut, with a wisdom beyond his age, answered his friend:
"If I were not on the Essex, I would prefer to be on a privateer. Both are fighting for the same flag, and while we are bound by strict discipline, you can go where you like and fight when you please. Yours is a glorious life, and I almost wish for it myself."
"Then you are not ashamed of me?"
"Ashamed? I am proud, and so will the country be when this war is over. We shall meet again—of that I am sure."
And so the two friends parted. They did meet again; they met when civil war had rent the country in twain, for John Tempest was with Admiral Farragut when New Orleans was surrendered, and again was on his ship in 1863, when in passing Port Hudson on the Mississippi, held by the Confederates, Farragut's son, then a boy of twelve, asked his father to let him go to West Point.
"He has your grit," said Tempest, and then turning to the boy he added: "I served with your father when he was younger than you are."