The privateer could not hold her own under the circumstances.
The frigate sailed faster than the Lively Bee, but, not keeping a course so close to the wind, was constantly obliged to tack, in order to keep near enough to use her guns on the smaller vessel.
Tempest walked up to Vernon and put out his hand.
The captain grasped it.
There was a meaning in that handshake.
Each knew that if the next shot did not strike the Peacock there was but little chance for the Lively Bee.
Lieutenant John Tempest saw that the gun was loaded.
The little privateer luffed, and the long gun was fired.
The shot struck just where it was intended it should.
That shot brought down the foretopmast of the Peacock with the immediate result of throwing her up into the wind to repair damages.