hero.
Pistol in hand, the plotter tiptoed up beside the hammock to learn
whether the boy was asleep. The little fellow was never wider awake in
his life; but he kept his eyes closed and breathed regularly, so as to
deceive the scoundrel, who slipped away to lead his companions in their
murderous uprising.

The instant the man disappeared the boy midshipman sprang out of his
hammock, crept to the cabin and told Captain Porter what he had seen.
That officer ran into the berth deck and loudly shouted "_Fire_!" The
finely disciplined crew promptly answered the call, and going to the
main hatch, were speedily armed and received their orders from Captain
Porter. The plotters were overawed and the rebellion nipped in the bud.

Thus the _Essex_ was saved by the wits of a boy only eleven years old.
The name of that boy was David Glasgow Farragut, and he became the
greatest naval officer of the American navy. Of course I shall have more
to tell you about him later on.

Determined to rid himself of the dangerous prisoners, Captain Porter
placed them on board the _Alert_ and sent them to Nova Scotia on parole.
In a cruise of sixty days he made nine captures, recaptured five
privateers and merchantmen, and arrived in the Delaware early in
September.

He sailed again in the latter part of October with the smallest frigate
in the navy, but with a full complement of officers and men. Among the
former, it need hardly be said, was young Midshipman Farragut. The first
port at which he stopped was Port Praya, where the Portuguese governor
showed them much courtesy. In December the _Essex_ crossed the equator,
and soon after overhauled a British brig of war, which strained every
effort to escape. The two manoeuvred for position, but the _Essex_
proved her superiority, and, after a volley of musketry, which killed
one man, the _Nocton_, as she proved to be, hauled down her flag. She
carried only 10 guns and 31 men, but had $50,000 in specie on board.
Captain Porter placed an officer and crew in charge of the prize, with
instructions to make the nearest American port. While striving to do so
he was captured by the British frigate _Belvidera_.

Captain Porter's instructions were to meet the _Constitution_ and
_Hornet_, which were cruising in that part of the world. He made
continued efforts to do so, and frequently got on their track, but
finally had to give it up. Then Captain Porter formed the bold plan of
doubling Cape Horn and enteri