"Well spoken, Tempest. I'd rather have a man like you on board than a whole regiment of other men."
The Lively Bee was lying much closer to the wind than the Britisher.
The frigate, when first seen, was about two miles off, and had the Lively Bee been in as good trim as when she left New York, no vessel afloat could have overtaken her.
"I know her, captain."
"Do you? Well, who and what is she?" asked Vernon.
"The Peacock, a thirty-two gunner," answered Tempest.
"Then we have no chance but in flight."
"None whatever."
"And we cannot outsail her," continued Vernon perversely.
"No, sir."