[CHAPTER IX.]
A BRUSH WITH THE ENEMY.
When the Lively Bee parted company with the Essex, Captain Vernon began to put her in fighting trim.
"Always be ready, is my maxim," he said to Tempest.
"But surely you do not expect——"
"To meet the enemy? I never expect anything else."
"But we are disabled."
"All the more reason why we may be attacked by the enemy. Our disabled condition invites it."