"Ay, ay, sir; it is a great prize we have made." "Can we get it to port, think you?" "That's what I'd like to know, sir; it will be hard work, for she must be a hundred and fifty ton heavier than the _Lively Bee_." "Double that, Scarron." Mr. Tempest took a lantern and went down the companionway. The captain's cabin was untenanted; but on the other side of the gangway was another cabin, the door of which was locked. "Is any one in there?" shouted the young officer, but received no answer. "Open the door!" he shouted again, but still his command was unheeded. "Mr. Scarron, I feel sure there is some one in that room. Can you break open the door?" "Ay, ay, sir!" Mr. Scarron's foot was sent against the door with such force that the panels were splintered, and even the frame split asunder. Tempest held up the lantern to look around the little cabin. "Great Heaven! A woman," he exclaimed. And there, huddled upon the floor insensible, lay a female form. "Captain's wife!" muttered Scarron. "Poor woman, she does not know she is a widow." "She is too young to be his wife," said Tempest. "Come, help me move her." "Perhaps she is dead." "No, no, sir; I saw her hand move, and blow me, sir, but she has a pretty hand; if only her face----" "Stop that, Scarron; show me a light here. This is no time for talk like that. We have all our work before us, and but little time to do it." While Mr. Scarron held the lantern, Lieutenant Tempest raised the prostrate girl in his arms. The light streamed across her face, and Tempest almost dropped his burden. A shriek-like exclamation burst from him. "Bertha!" He raised her still more, so that he could look closer into her features. "My God, am I dreaming?" he exclaimed, and then, seeing Scarron's surprised face, he continued: "This lady is my betrothed; but how she came here I cannot say." Scarron turned his head away, and muttered to himself: "Poor fellow! He has been deceived. Why will men trust woman? She was false, as they all are." Although Tempest recognized his betrothed, and his heart naturally wished for her recovery, he dare not stay. She had swooned, and nature would work her recovery. He would not neglect his duty, and there was much to be done, or the rich prize would be taken from them. He returned to the _Lively Bee_, and after converse with the captain it was resolved to run back to the nearest port and take in the _Caroline_. Already the fog was lifting, and the first rays of dawn breaking through the night clouds. The _Caroline_ and _Lively Bee_ must be many miles away before morning came. The crew was a small one, but to Tempest's great joy, he found among the sailors of the _Caroline_ five Americans who had been impressed, and who were delighted at the thought of sailing under the starry flag.