"Tell me Luiga's plot and I will believe your honesty." The spokesman told of the intended mutiny, and, to Tempest's surprise, told him that Luiga was always hinting that the boxes of tin contained bullets as well as that valuable commodity. Although Tempest appeared to trust the men, he kept them under close surveillance. Curiosity led him to have one of the boxes of tin opened, and, to his great surprise and joy, he found that under the sheets of tin there were hundreds of sovereigns, doubtless intended for the British paymaster-general. Such a discovery was too important to be concealed from the _Lively Bee_, and early the next morning Captain Vernon was signaled, and put off in a boat for the _Regina_. Tempest told Vernon of his suspicion, and a general overhauling of the cargo resulted in the finding of over a hundred thousand pounds sterling. The cargo was consigned to Thomas Arbuthnot, and Vernon remembered that the paymaster of the English army bore that name. It was the richest prize taken during the war, and Vernon declared that if he was allowed to keep the prize he would quit privateering, and settle down on shore. All speed was made to land, and Vernon reported his capture to the government. He was allowed to keep his prize, and so all the crew of the _Lively Bee_ shared in the prize money, the amount of which almost took away their breath. CHAPTER XXXIV. VERNON'S SUCCESS. Intoxicated with success, the crew of the _Lively Bee_ urged Vernon to make one more voyage. But he had given his word that he would retire, and though only to himself, it was binding. "I would like the _Lively Bee_ to make another cruise," he said, "and if Lieutenant Tempest will take command I shall be delighted." Tempest was still thirsting for glory, and accepted the offer. "Go, my friend!" said Vernon, as the new captain of the _Lively Bee_ was leaving Baltimore to join the famous privateer--"go, bring back prizes if you can, act with honor, as I know you will, but above all remember that I would rather hear that the _Lively Bee_ was at the bottom of the sea than that she was captured by the British." A number of privateers were in the Chesapeake Bay at the time, and many friends of the crews had assembled on the docks. Those who heard the speech of Vernon cheered lustily. "Never give up the ship!" cried one old salt. "No, that I swear!" assented Tempest, solemnly. Among those who watched the departure of the gallant privateersman stood Bertha Tempest and Pauline Jones. Bertha's eyes were red, for she had parted again with the husband she so loved, while a glad light shone from the flashing orbs of Pauline. Perhaps it was caused by the fact that Captain Harry Vernon--"Handsome Harry," as he was called in Washington--was to return to the Capital City with them. Vernon was wealthy.