The Britishers saw his object, and took every means to prevent him achieving it. Broadside followed broadside in rapid succession, and further resistance was useless. The triumph of the _Wasp_ was short-lived, but the _Poietiers_ did not feel much elated over its victory, for the _Wasp_ had made a gallant fight. The _Lively Bee_ had watched the fight, unable to render any effective assistance. Captain Vernon had seen the merchantman, and as he was cruising for revenue, as well as patriotism, he coveted the rich prize. "What do you make of her?" asked Vernon, as he watched Tempest examine the brig. "She is a rich prize, but armed." "You think so?" "Yes, and there are at least a dozen fighting men in the crew." "Can you see her name?" "I--wait a moment--yes, she is the _Caroline_, of Bristol." "The _Caroline_, of Bristol? Are you sure?" "Yes, quite so. Why?" "She is worth two hundred thousand dollars to us. I know her cargo well. We must capture her." "Can we?" "We must. The _Frolic_ is useless; the _Poietiers_ has all she can do to look after her prisoners. Our opportunity will come." "Captain, don't think me weak, but my heart beats most violently when I look at that brig; why, I know not." "It is not weakness. You are as brave as a lion, Tempest; I know the feeling. The risk is great, the odds against us, but I have a presentiment we shall win." "God grant it." Soon all was activity on board the _Lively Bee_. Every preparation was made, but so secretly that not even the strongest glass could discern much out of the ordinary going on. To the merchant captain the _Lively Bee_ appeared to be a schooner waiting about for any chance wreckage; or merely with a desire to see the naval fight; for, as we know, the privateer had a most innocent look. "One broadside from the _Poietiers_ will sink us," remarked Tempest. "Certainly, therefore I would not risk a fight until night," answered Vernon. Leaving the privateer, let us look at the merchantman, whose fate was trembling in the balance. As Vernon had said, the _Caroline_ was one of the richest prizes in American waters. She was a stanch, trim brig, and as beautiful as any picture. In fact, so clean was her hull, so bright her deck, the rigging was so new and perfect, that it was really hard to believe she had buffeted the waves or encountered any storms. The captain, knowing the value of his cargo, had induced the _Poietiers_ to give him three small cannon and half a dozen men. "We may get parted, and then--I don't want to feel I can make no resistance," he pleaded; and his plea was graciously acknowledged. But the _Caroline_ carried a cargo that was not entered on the manifest. The captain had indulged in a little speculation of his own, and, in his eyes, that one little bit of cargo, though its weight could not have been more than a hundred and twenty pounds, was more valuable than all the merchandise put together.