"That is true as gospel, captain."
"The commander of the Constitution will take you all on board, and you can have your fill of fighting the enemy. You will be regular men then, with no risks other than all who engage in war will share with you.
"You can join the United States navy, or can remain on the Lively Bee. Which shall it be?"
"We will stick to you, captain."
"Ay, ay, the Lively Bee is a good enough craft for us."
"I thought you would say so, and I am well pleased it is so. But we must put into port and get rigged up. We have done a lot of fighting, but it has all been for others. Now, I propose taking some prizes for ourselves. What say you?"
There was no need to await a reply.
Every man on the Lively Bee was a privateer from choice and inclination.
He loved fighting, but wanted prize money as well as glory.
"I will then, in your name, decline the offer made by Captain Hull of the Constitution, and will make all sail to the nearest port."